Arewa are having RESOURCE CONTROL of their solid minerals like gold.
Yet, Niger Delta and South-East can't have resource control of their crude oil.
Hon Farah Dagogo of Rivers State is angry about this apartheid system in Nigeria.

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NIGER DELTA SHOULD CONTROL OIL LIKE NORTH NOW CONTROLS GOLD- RIVERS REP, DAGOGO
Punch newspaper, August 2, 2020


he member of the House of Representatives for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in Rivers State, Farah Dagogo, criticises the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative and Federal Government policies relating to natural resources, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU

You recently condemned the PAGMDI. Is it not part of measures to standardise things in the mining sector?

I am not against the initiative. My position is simple: the whole process should be transparent. It shouldn’t be a smokescreen to give a section of the country resource control, while others’ agitations are not met. I am a firm believer in diversifying our economy. Nigeria is abundantly blessed with natural resources and, if these other areas are explored and tapped into, it will complement proceeds coming from oil and gas, which have been the mainstay of our economy. In fact, in October last year, I prepared a motion titled ‘Urging the (Federal) Government to Liberalise in Solid Minerals.’ As the short title suggests, that motion was meant to open up the large deposits of untapped mineral resources for the benefits of the government and its citizenry. Unfortunately, just like my other motions, it has not be listed for plenary. This motion and others were submitted at the office of the Speaker. At the House of Representatives, there is a process I met; motions have to pass through the Speaker and get his approval before been forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Business. All these are to let you know that I am an advocate of opening up our economy and standardising all sectors, including the mining sector. But in doing so, things have to be done in the right manner.

If the majority of gold is in the North as you claimed, does it mean that those from the South cannot invest in the region?

That is the point. How do you invest? Unlike in the South, where all the major tribes in the country have high stakes in the oil and gas industry, that is not the same with the PAGMDI scheme. The thought of the ordinary people in the South, especially in the Niger Delta region, is that the Presidency created PAGMDI, which enables gold miners get their gold, to get it mined and then sell it to the Central Bank of Nigeria at N268m for 12.5kg of gold, which is 100 per cent resource control or derivation, depending on your choice of semantics. The people of the Niger Delta are now asking, ‘Why is the same template not adopted with the oil in the South?’ Why are we, the South, not also allowed to independently get crude oil, just as it is done with the PAGMDI gold, take it to the refinery built by the government to refine, and have the CBN buy it at the international rate?

You recall that in the President’s address, he announced plans to build gold refinery for the PAGMDI scheme. Those are the issues. I do not think it is in the interest or priority of the truth to invest in the gold deposits of the North. If we are brazenly denied ownership and participation in the oil and gas industry domiciled in our locality, what guarantee do we have that we shall be given such privilege to own gold, iron ore, zinc, lead, silver, diamonds and other mineral resources mined in the North? Have you bothered to audit the ownership of oil blocs in the oil-producing states? Less than three per cent of the oil mining licence owners are from the oil-producing communities. Does that inspire any hope of being accommodated for gold mine ownership in the North? I truly doubt that.

Should oil in the South also be 100 per cent revenue derivation or gold should be at the same percentage as oil?

That is what I just explained. The same gusto and templates that were used to effectively achieve the PAGMDI scheme should be replicated in the Niger Delta. The PAGMDI scheme came into force in less than a year and the Niger Delta has been clamouring for this for decades without any end in sight. Let us be devoid of terminologies and whatnot; our people in the South are finding it extremely difficult to reconcile the notion that a section is controlling its solid mineral resources like gold under PAGMDI, while they in the South can’t do the same with their natural oil and gas resources. Where is the balance in all of this? Our people are resilient advocates of resource control and ownership and, as such, should ordinarily be strong proponents of PAGMDI, which to us approximates our demands for resource control/ownership or fiscal federalism.

If the economy is being diversified in a manner that deepens our enslavement, by conceding resource ownership to the privileged from some advantaged part of the country, while our own resources will be tabled for the benefit of all, then that is not a fair-minded methodology for the diversification of the economy of the country. It is unacceptable to us. There are laws of the Nigerian state, which centred ownership of all natural resources within the Nigerian space on the Federal Government. It is these obnoxious laws that have entrenched and deepened the punishment of oil and gas resource owners in Nigeria, and aborted their yearning for resource control. To wake up one day and enunciate a policy that confers resource ownership on one part of the country on the pretext of diversifying the economy is in rebellious conflict with equity, fairness and justice.

If local gold miners are allowed in the North, should local refineries be allowed in the South too?

PAGMDI will, no doubt, create employment and empowerment. What then stops that which is sauce for the North from being sauce for the South? What is good for A should also be good for B, especially when both have similar peculiarities and potential. Of priority to the oil-producing states and communities is resources central or the irreducible minimum of fiscal federalism. Local refineries will be too tokenistic, with the leverage given to the so-called artisanal miners in the North to mine and sell their solid mineral resources like gold to the CBN, which approximates resource ownership and control. Such prerogative should be extended to the oil-bearing states and communities.

You are aware that a recent study by the Stakeholder Democracy Network revealed that black market fuel refined in the creeks of the Niger Delta tends to have higher quality than the legally imported petrol (Premium Motor Spirit) and diesel (Automotive Gas Oil) imported into Nigeria from Europe. What does that tell you? Why are our refineries still moribund? Since part of this government’s mantra is self-production, why can’t we refine our products? Why can’t the government engage people from the affected region? Apart from being those who faced the hazards of oil pollutions and environmental degradation, among others, they understand the terrains and are very versed in the oil and gas workability. Why would you not encourage them? There are lots of whys and the government will do well to address those issues.

Will your arguments against PAGMDI not discourage the move to diversify the economy and enhance mining and manufacturing?

Not at all. I just told you that I prepared a motion aimed at opening up the economy through solid minerals and that includes mining and manufacturing. Do I then look like someone that is opposing diversification? The point is, let us do things the way they ought to be done. I am representing a constituency and their interests and those of Nigerians are the priority. I act and work at the behest of my constituents. If a move is not in their interests, it is expected that we that represent them speak out. And that is what we are doing. I have friends and associates that cut across all tribes of the country and we are very close and always in contact. So, this is not personal but simply demanding that doing what is right and just should guide our actions.

Rather than debate North-South control over resources, is it not better to have fiscal federalism in Nigeria?

What is your definition of fiscal federalism, because our definition of it today seems to align with where our bread is buttered? On paper, we seem to be practising fiscal federalism, but in reality, it is the complete opposite of it. What I think we need to do is support and give comparative advantage to the resources each region enjoys. The tenets of true federalism dictate fiscal federalism, which, in its simplest meaning, suggests that the federating units own, control and manage their resources and pay taxes to the centre — the Federal Government. Whatever is the mutually agreed tax is subtracted from the 100 per cent ownership of the federating units and paid to the central government. As is now being endorsed for gold and other minerals in the North, it should apply to oil and gas in the oil-producing communities. After all, it is not a new trend in Nigeria. It was the practice when groundnut, cocoa, palm produce, etc., were the mainstay of the economy. This changed when oil took charge in the South. Nigeria is abundantly and enormously blessed to be the economic hub of Africa in the real sense of the word. Unfortunately, we are where we are now. Let us formulate a workable arrangement where the people are directly affected positively with the proceeds from their areas. It will also fast-track development as well as create employment. For me, that is practical fiscal federalism, not where the federal (government) takes a large chunk with close to nothing to show for it.



SOURCE
https://punchng.com/niger-delta-should-control-oil-like-north-now-controls-gold-rivers-rep-dagogo/

noted

THIS IS APARTHEID IN ACTION IN NIGERIA!

Take down the Apartheid fraudulent imposed 1999 Constitution to end this Union of death and destruction.

Indigenous ethnic nationalities can decide if we want any Union and how if so, it should be.

Separation from Arewa NOW!

Nawa

You have the right to be angry

Oya now go do something about it

Or you just wan use the talk divert attention only once once we hear them remember such things

But the man has valid points o!

Ppl do not know it is d gold mining in zamfara dat is thriving with the distraction of bandits and herdsmen... The problem isn't about who controls what but about the intentions of the individuals who claim to b fighting for their ppl.. D recent revelations in the NDDC is proof that selfish ppl from the region will continue to enrich demselves while blaming the north

DuBLINGreenb:
You have the right to be angry

Oya now go do something about it

Or you just wan use the talk divert attention only once once we hear them remember such things

My friend go to my posts and you will see I am DOING!

I am with Lower Niger Congress (SE & SS platform) to Take Down the fraudulent 1999 Constitution by non-violent CONSTITUTIONAL FORCE MAJEURE. I am raising awareness about it. It's going to happen

LNC are organizing it with the alliance of Oduduwa and Middle Belt.

Here is a link to LNC facebook so you can understand what is happening and get involved.

https://web.facebook.com/lowernigercongress

As for Hon. Dagogo, he is getting involved by telling us about this Apartheid. Plus in the article he tells us how the Speaker ignores his demands to improve things for Rivers and SS.

Nbotee:
Ppl do not know it is d gold mining in zamfara dat is thriving with the distraction of bandits and herdsmen... The problem isn't about who controls what but about the intentions of the individuals who claim to b fighting for their ppl.. D recent revelations in the NDDC is proof that selfish ppl from the region will continue to enrich demselves while blaming the north

Some told me same thing about how the gold in zamfara is making them kill each other.

Nbotee:
Ppl do not know it is d gold mining in zamfara dat is thriving with the distraction of bandits and herdsmen... The problem isn't about who controls what but about the intentions of the individuals who claim to b fighting for their ppl.. D recent revelations in the NDDC is proof that selfish ppl from the region will continue to enrich demselves while blaming the north

We have outgrown this kind of explanation.

We know the problem is Fulani and their Sharia-supremacist conquest of our ancestral lands.

All your write-up here is describing the "WILLING TOOLS" that Fulani Caliphs are using against their own people.

The SOURCE of our troubles is what is the key to ending the work of the "willing tools". It is Fulani. They are a problem all over Africa, not just here in Nigeria so shine your eyes.

I blame GEJ for not taking action when he was there.
This is not one Nigeria!!

FlordFlorez:
I blame GEJ for not taking action when he was there.

This is not one Nigeria!!

EXACTLY!

GEJ was led like a puppy by Bamanga Tukur of NE.

meavox:

EXACTLY!
GEJ was led like a puppy by Bamanga Tukur of NE.

I won't be exaggerating if I say he barely control 20% of his administration.

The fault is from those who refer to themselves as Niger delta without any definitive means. You have to discover who you're first, then you can gain balance to lunch resistance. They call themselves Arewa which comprises the entire North with over 90 ethnic groups, but a particular region with only two ethnicity calls themselves Niger delta because a man from the same undivided Arewa carved them out from their supposed Biafran brothers and calls them Niger delta, today it's not a crime to mention Arewa or Oduduwa, but once you mention BIAFRA it's a taboo and theses people are not asking questions. Why is there no NN or WW just as you have SS? NONSENSE

What's wrong with igbos and south south Oyel? Everytime our Oyel, our Oyel. South south should watch out for this fake friendship from children of hate. They hate themselves talk less of other tribes

MinorityOpinion:
What's wrong with igbos and south south Oyel? Everytime our Oyel, our Oyel. South south should watch out for this fake friendship from children of hate. They hate themselves talk less of other tribes

Arewa tool. We know your kind.

SS and SE ethnic nationalities were united by God Himself so that we live in nearby lands.

All this made-up nonsense to divide the Christian brothers of SE and SS will never work. The fake and stupid divisions put in by Arewa and Arewa "willing tools" is vanishing. Like a miracle.

MinorityOpinion:
What's wrong with igbos and south south Oyel? Everytime our Oyel, our Oyel. South south should watch out for this fake friendship from children of hate. They hate themselves talk less of other tribes

Child of Love, we have seen you as you're loving the entire country with terrorism including your own people, that's why the gold in your backyard can not be a National assets and shouldn't be mentioned, but the oil in my backyard is a National assets and must be controlled by a terrorist from Arewa.

BASTARD

TRUTHaDDICTED:
Child of Love, we have seen you as you're loving the entire country with terrorism including your own people, that's why the gold in your backyard can not be a National assets and shouldn't be mentioned, but the oil in my backyard is a National assets and must be controlled by a terrorist from Arewa.

BASTARD

Which oil in your backyard? The oil in the whole south east is not upto to Ondo state own, na south south get oil, when we dey talk about oil no dey put mouth, allow the real owners talk, doing boyboy wey dem no send una

meavox:


Arewa tool. We know your kind.

SS and SE ethnic nationalities were united by God Himself so that we live in nearby lands.

All this made-up nonsense to divide the Christian brothers of SE and SS will never work. The fake and stupid divisions put in by Arewa and Arewa "willing tools" is vanishing. Like a miracle.

SS and SE no be the same, different civilization and migration pattern, south south kingdoms were already living in paradise when Igbos are still in the bush. After giving you the real facts, you go dey shout our Christian brothers but your work no pure, you abuse everyone, call them names, even your saviour Kanu is the same.

Stop igniting ethnic hate

MinorityOpinion:


Which oil in your backyard? The oil in the whole south east is not upto to Ondo state own, na south south get oil, when we dey talk about oil no dey put mouth, allow the real owners talk, doing boyboy wey dem no send una

Well it seems you forgot the East has the largest deposit of Gas in Nigeria. imagine if they cut the pipe now the federal government is building in anambra...how the north want take get gas?

For 16 yrs. ppl in power were helping to build up Dubai, the UK, and US instead of investing in the region. look it up!

MinorityOpinion:
What's wrong with igbos and south south Oyel? Everytime our Oyel, our Oyel. South south should watch out for this fake friendship from children of hate. They hate themselves talk less of other tribes

attack the message not the messenger, is the issue in ground true and to you is it the right way things should be done?

na now una wan wake up?

scatter nigeria and reset. That’s my position

AustineJohn908:



Well it seems you forgot the East has the largest deposit of Gas in Nigeria. imagine if they cut the pipe now the federal government is building in anambra...how the north want take get gas?

anambra no be Igbo land first of all, post the link to a reliable source that east has the highest deposit of gas in Nigeria, not dat I'm daring you o, I just wan see with my eyes.

MinorityOpinion:
anambra no be Igbo land first of all, post the link to a reliable source that east has the highest deposit of gas in Nigeria, not dat I'm daring you o, I just wan see with my eyes.

...AustineJohn just left the chat....

He would be ashamed that one fellow fool in a beer parlour scammed him

TRUTHaDDICTED:
The fault is from those who refer to themselves as Niger delta without any definitive means. You have to discover who you're first, then you can gain balance to lunch resistance. They call themselves Arewa which comprises the entire North with over 90 ethnic groups, but a particular region with only two ethnicity calls themselves Niger delta because a man from the same undivided Arewa carved them out from their supposed Biafran brothers and calls them Niger delta, today it's not a crime to mention Arewa or Oduduwa, but once you mention BIAFRA it's a taboo and theses people are not asking questions. Why is there no NN or WW just as you have SS? NONSENSE

If you want unity in the south accept that we are Niger Deltans, if a group of people decide to call themselves a particular name accept it. Igbo chose to be called Biafrans and Nigerians accepted the name, nobody opposed it.

This guy made some valid points

Abeg let's hear word
I have not heard n Abubakar or Ahmed in NDDC scandal since it broke out
Nah SS leaders dey do SS people

[s]

MinorityOpinion:


SS and SE no be the same, different civilization and migration pattern, south south kingdoms were already living in paradise when Igbos are still in the bush. After giving you the real facts, you go dey shout our Christian brothers but your work no pure, you abuse everyone, call them names, even your saviour Kanu is the same.

[/s]


Mallam stop derailing this important topic with your tribal nonsense or else I will report you to the mods.

MinorityOpinion:
anambra no be Igbo land first of all, post the link to a reliable source that east has the highest deposit of gas in Nigeria, not dat I'm daring you o, I just wan see with my eyes.

So Anambra na which person land? don't make me laugh.
If you don't Know your Geology then I can't help you.
3 of the five Igbo states has large deposits of gas and only one of them has the largest in the whole of Nigeria