Indications arising from the public hearings across the states on the review of the 1999 constitution shows that there is a mounting opposition against the sole control of derivation funds by state governors.
Former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan, who was at the Bomadi/Patani federal constituency public hearing in Warri, Delta State, kicked against the present arrangement on derivation funds.
Pastor Aginighan while submitting a memorandum at the public hearing, said the danger in the present arrangement was that oil mineral bearing communities are alienated from the benefits of the wealth that accrues from their land.
He stated that oil communities have been at the mercy of powerful state governors, most of whom utilise the larger portion of derivation funds for areas that do not suffer environmental devastation arising from oil exploration and exploitation activities.
He therefore, advocated the establishment of a trust fund which shall have a board of trustees made up of representatives of the various natural resources bearing communities in each state to be appointed by the President upon confirmation by the Senate.?? ?
‘‘The continuation of the present arrangement can only result in the re-enactment of the Olobiri metaphor in the oil mineral bearing communities when the oil wells dry up or when oil ceases to be a revenue earner for Nigeria.