Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has called on the Federal Government to allocate a 13% derivation to his state as compensation for the water supplied to states in the Niger Delta and hydrocarbon exchange. The demand was made during a meeting with the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Aliyu, in Minna on Monday, November 6, 2023.
While nine oil-producing states currently receive a 13% monthly derivation, Governor Bago argued that Niger State deserves the same privilege for its contribution to aquatic resources in the Niger Delta. Additionally, he urged for a ₦1 trillion compensation for the hydrocarbon exchange consumed by the Delta region.
“We need 13 per cent derivation for water supplied to the Delta,” emphasised Governor Bago. “The Federal Government will pay Niger State ₦1 trillion in the next three months for hydrocarbon exchange; they must.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with the historical oversight of the state, Governor Bago declared, “We have woken up; we can never ever tolerate being neglected or abandoned again. The only way we can ensure that the federal government heeds to us is to shut down the hydro dams unless we are paid.”
The governor also said the state is prepared to approach the Supreme Court over the matter if necessary. He insisted on fair compensation for all resources coming from Niger State, saying “Our people have done enough for Nigeria.”
