Nigerian Senate Recognizes Kogi State as Oil Producing, Dismisses Anambra Senator's Claims

Nigerian Senate Recognizes Kogi State as Oil Producing, Dismisses Anambra Senator's Claims

In a significant development, the Nigerian Senate officially acknowledged Kogi State as an oil-producing region during its session on Thursday. This declaration came after Senator Jibrin Isah of Kogi East provided a compelling personal explanation, substantiating Kogi's status as an oil-producing state under Senate Standing Order No. 42.

The recognition countered assertions made by Senator Tony Nwoye of Anambra North, who had raised doubts about Kogi's oil-producing status during a motion on Wednesday. Senator Isah swiftly refuted these claims, emphasizing that Kogi State has been receiving the constitutionally mandated 13% derivation since October 2022, based on commercial oil discoveries in several towns within the Ibaji Local Government Council.

Isah further elaborated that the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) had duly evaluated and approved Kogi's eligibility for the derivation fund since 2021. He highlighted the specific locations where oil discoveries had been made, underscoring the validity of Kogi's claim as an oil-producing state.

The Senate's affirmation of Kogi's status came amid discussions on a bill introduced by Senator Tony Nwoye, seeking to include Anambra as an oil-producing state within the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). However, Nwoye's claims regarding Kogi's non-receipt of the 13% derivation were refuted during his interrogation by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In Akpabio's absence, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau presided over Thursday's plenary and upheld the recognition of Kogi State as an oil-producing entity. The decision not only solidifies Kogi's position but also underscores the importance of accurate delineation and acknowledgment of oil-producing states in Nigeria's revenue allocation framework.

While the Senate's stance may have implications for future resource allocation and development initiatives, it also highlights the need for diligent verification and adherence to constitutional provisions in matters concerning the distribution of oil revenue among states.

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