Governor Umaru Bago Issues Ultimatum to the Federal Government
In a bold move, Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the payment of the 13% derivation fund, akin to other oil-producing states. The governor, while hosting Tijani Aliyu, Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, in Minna, Niger State, emphasized the need for fair compensation, asserting, “we will take the Federal Government to the Supreme Court unless the 13 percent derivation from our land, water, air, grass, and everything given to us is paid.” – Governor Umaru Bago.
Niger State Governor Demands N1 Trillion Compensation for Hydrocarbon Exchange
Governor Bago did not stop at the 13% derivation demand; he further insisted on the payment of N1 trillion within the next three months for hydrocarbon exchange. Expressing the state’s contribution to the Delta region, he remarked, “We need 13 percent derivation for water supplied to the Delta. Our people are ravaged and displaced year in, year out because of the flow of water from the Niger to the Delta.”
“The Federal Government will pay Niger state N1 trillion in the next three months for hydrocarbon exchange, they must.” – Governor Umaru Bago
Hydro Dams Shutdown Looms as Niger State Takes a Firm Stand
Governor Bago, highlighting the state’s significant role in providing hydropower to the nation, issued a strong warning. “Abuja Electricity Distribution Company [AEDC] must pay us, they have consumed from Niger state hydrocarbon exchange, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC] must pay us. We have woken up; we can never ever tolerate being neglected or abandoned again.”
“We demand compensation for our people. Everything, every resource that comes from Niger State must be compensated. We will not tolerate this anymore.” – Governor Umaru Bago
