THE Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has resolved to press for the inclusion of derivation principle on all minerals derived from the area through the ongoing constitution amendment exercise.

The senators had met last week but mandated a committee to fine-tune the decisions reached at the meeting, while the leadership of the forum will meet with other necessary forums to actualise the decisions.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have started working on the constitution amendment bill sent to them by President Umaru Yar’Adua, following the collapse of the Joint Committee on Constitution Review (JCCR) inaugurated by the two chambers to jointly review the constitution.

Sources close to the NSF told the Nigerian Tribune, on Wednesday, that the forum had reached a decision to push for the inclusion of the derivation principle on all mineral resources found in the North.

A source said that the North believed that the South, especially South-South, had seen the North as a parasite for too long, something the region saw as offensive.

The source said that the North produced a lot of mineral resources which it could benefit from, if the 13 per cent derivation formula was applied to mineral resources.

The senators also reached an agreement that they would push for an increased search for oil in the Lake Chad basin and other areas of the North, after which the region could then agree on a wholesale review of the 13 per cent derivation.

Said a source at the meeting: “Exploration of mineral resources in the North is one thing we agreed to. We have resolved to impress it on the president to, as a matter of urgent importance, approve an increased search for oil in the North.

“It is insulting and offensive to see the North as a parasite on the nation, because oil comes from the South. We sincerely believe that there is oil in the North since there is oil in other areas with similar vegetation.

“We cannot believe that there is no oil in the North, if there is oil in countries like Libya, Ghana, Chad and Cameroun.”

The bid is to ensure that the new derivation principle would be enshrined in the constitution to the effect that all mineral resources are to attract derivation to the state producing them.

After the collapse of the JCCR initiative, following disagreements between the Senate and the House, the Senate is going ahead with the review of the constitution through the 44-member committee on the constitution review headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

It was gathered that the NSF would constitute a team of eminent members to meet with members of the Southern Senators’ Forum to fine-tune discussions on areas of possible collaboration.

A source said that the North was no longer opposed to state creation as long as states would also be created in the North.

“Seriously, the North is no longer opposed to state creation. But there is the need to properly account for the agricultural products from the region and the minerals. We believe that the solid minerals of the North and the agricultural produce stabilise this country. Even the oil money cannot stabilise the country but the North is being seen as a parasite, despite the fact that we feed the nation,” a source said.

It was also gathered that the North would emphasise the need to devote appropriate budgetary provisions in the 2010 budget to ensure the need for increased search for oil in the region.

According to the source, areas to be emphasised by the North in the 2010 budget include Agriculture, Energy and Mineral Resources.

The source said that with proper policy in place, the North could be self-sustaining, especially if it emphasised solar energy, wind energy and other sustainable sources of power.

“In the 2010 budget, the region will liaise with the Presidency to make enough funds available to prospect for oil in the North. We will also ensure enough attention is devoted to agriculture. In the past, the North benefited from agriculture, now is the time to redress and return to the glorious days,” the source said.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/16072009/news/news1.html

What will happen to Nigeria if oil is found in the northern part of Nigeria ?

interestin!!

bullshit!!

all talk talk, na2ady

looters surely havent got time for that

this is nigeria till something changes

the northern leaders should face stoning just like the southerns

but they should lead the way

we already know, the north is worse stuck, their leader dnt have time for their people, at all at all oooo

who dey dem fool