The National Conference Committee on Devolution of Power has recommended that status quo be maintained for derivation principle and resource control after two weeks of intense debate.
The committee held a closed-door meeting for about seven hours without shifting of grounds between Northern and Southern delegates.
Co-chairman of the Committee Obong Victor Attah told newsmen that during the closed-door session, all delegates were given opportunity to state their positions on the twin issues.
According to him, there are, however, contrary positions on all the issues without any party agreeing to shift grounds.
Attah said it was gratifying that every delegate approached the issues with “passion, maturity and patriotism” adding that when the decision was finally taken, it was through consensus.
He said the issue of resource control attracted passionate arguments from a section of the delegates and an equally passionate opposition from the other.
Attah added it was finally resolved that with the amendment of item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List, certain aspects of resource control had been taken care of.
The amendment deals with the mining of the natural minerals in all the states of the federation.
It states that the rights of licensing remain that of the Federal Government with the National Assembly as the legislative body.
It further states that such mining will be carried out with the active involvement of the states where the mineral resources are found.
Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, said when included in the Constitution, the amended item would empower every part of the country to develop and mine its resources.
He added that such function must be in accordance with Federal Government licensing and the use of the resources for its development.
Attah said the amendment would also make every state to benefit from the derivation principle as against the view that it is meant for the oil-producing areas alone.
He said that with the arrangement, it would be easier for every part of the country to agree unanimously on the need for upward review of the derivation principle as every part would benefit.
Attah said every matter regarding reintroduction of onshore-offshore oil dichotomy, increase or decrease in derivation principle and resource control was resolved with “no victor, no vanquished”.
He said derivation principle still stood at 13 per cent as contained in the 1999 Constitution for mineral producing areas.
Attah, however, said the committee resolved that on a monthly basis, 4.5 per cent of federal revenue would be set aside for the development of natural resources in all the states of the federation.
According to him, it is to be called Fund for Solid Mineral Development, if the resolution scales through at plenary.
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