We’ll review 13 per cent derivation law —Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari pledged yesterday that his administration would take a fresh look at the constitutional 13 per cent derivation for oil producing states with a view to ensuring the even spread of developmental projects.

Receiving Isoko traditional rulers and personalities led by His Majesty Ovrawah, Omogha 1, Odiologbo of Oleh, Delta State, at the Presidential Villa, Buhari told his guests that the constitutional provisions for Niger Delta development would be carefully studied for inclusiveness, especially in the prioritization of Federal Government projects.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted him as promising to ”update myself with details of development in your area as it relates to oil and gas and lack of infrastructure.”

“I will look at the constitutional 13 per cent derivation and what previous governments have done in order to know what we can do,’’ the president said.

He said the Isoko kingdom had qualified citizens that had distinguished themselves in various professional and entrepreneurial skills in the country, and was surprised that it was not adequately captured in Federal Government appointments.

“I will revisit your address and ask for clarification. I will do my best on this issue,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the President General of the Isoko Development Union and spokesman of the traditional rulers, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, commended President Buhari for “performing well’’ in leadership, but urged him to consider some anomalies in the spread of development projects in the Niger Delta.

”With eight oil fields of flow stations in Isoko land, we appeal to His Excellency to direct NNPC to establish a gas plant and a modular refinery in Isoko land. It will be beneficial to the nation and it will create employment and generate revenue,’’ he said.

High Chief Amadhe said the Isoko have repeatedly been sidelined in Federal Government appointments, with the last appointment of a minister in 1975, noting that the region was also ignored in siting of federal educational institutions, skill development centres and infrastructure.

“Your Excellency, no meaningful project has been sited in Isoko since the inception of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,’’ he added

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