Date Published: 11/27/09

Dear Editor,

Re: Abrogated off/on shore oil dichotomy

The article written by Mr. Obong Ndarake Ebe-Ndaeyo on the issue of the abrogated offshore onshore oil dichotomy was quite interesting and revealing.  

The first was the full knowledge of what offshore and onshore crude oil drilling, which many may not have had. The second was knowledge of reasons why there exists differential in monthly allocations not based on population of the States. The third was how the fight for the cancellation of the dichotomy was actualized and who contributed in what way.

I feel that those littoral States that benefit from the abrogation of the oil dichotomy should first appreciate God Almighty (Allah) and then appreciate former military President Ibrahim Babangida who looked at the matter passionately; and then the Lady of Songs, Christy Essien-Igbokwe. Allah determines who He chooses for desired results. 

Like Mr. Ndarake noted in his article, it would have been an uphill task for this type of achievement to be recorded if it was left for the present democratic dispensation where some parts of the country, especially we in the north, are already feeling that the States in the Niger Delta region are being pampered with huge federal allocation, which in any case does not go for services of the affected communities per se. In other words, the allocations are not being managed very well as most end up in private pockets through bloated contract budgets on profligacy. The President Yar’Adua himself acknowledges this fact. 

I recall reading in The NATION newspaper, not quite long ago, during Yar’Adua’s interaction with the repented militants he availed them some documents that showed the ‘shocking’ funds allocated to the littoral States in the last three years.  The militants (themselves) were shocked at the matter and both sides wondered what the respective governors have been doing with those allocations. It was revealed that each of the littoral States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta, got more than all States put together of the South-East, North-East, North-Central and North-West. This is food for thought.

Most of the earnings by the four States, especially for Akwa Ibom, were so because of the abrogation of the offshore/onshore oil dichotomy, which to me the offshore earnings should have been left in the kitty for centralized disbursements.

Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Mustapha

Plot 1239 Daura Road

KATSINA.