Set Up Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, Group Tells Gov Bello »

The Coterie Of Ibaji Youths of Nigeria (COIYN), an umbrella organization for Ibaji people both at home and in the Diaspora, has urged Gov. Yahaya Bello to expedite action in setting up the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) without further delay.

Mr. Tony Edike, Chairman Board of Trustees of COIYN, made the call while addressing newsmen at Onyedega, Headquarters of Ibaji Local Government against the backdrop of the classification of Kogi as an Oil oil-producing state by the Federal Government.

The oil wells which accorded Kogi an oil-producing status are domiciled in the Ibaji local government area of the state.

Edike said that the commission would facilitate the development of local communities and the peaceful coexistence of the indigenes of the oil-bearing communities who fought very hard to actualize the oil-producing status.

He said that the commission would also prevent youths from economic sabotage and hasten the development of Ibaji Local Government.

‘The Governor should hasten the setting up of the KOSOPADEC. The constitutional commission would underscore the state government’s efforts to maximize the benefits of an oil-producing state. The commission will be part of the legacies of the Yahaya Bello-led administration under which Kogi’s long desire to become an oil-producing state was actualized.

“It’s unfortunate that after our unflinching support for Gov Bello in 2019, there is no significant project in Ibaji to compensate for our support and loyalty to his government. Ibaji and Olamaboro were the only Local governments that delivered for APC, but as I speak, Ibaji has been neglected by GYB and there is nothing on the ground to show for our support for him and the APC in Ibaji Local Government. No development project has been initiated or completed in Ibaji by the state and the local government in the last eight years.

“The last Governorship election held on November 11, 2023, is another one to recon with as Ibaji was the only LGA in Igala land that delivered over 25% votes to APC and the Governor-Elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo. We are hoping that the Ododo-led government won’t leave Ibaji behind once again. Ibaji as an oil-bearing local government deserves to be given priority attention in terms of infrastructure.

“We believe that the commission, when set up, would contribute largely to the empowerment of our youths, Women, and the development of our area and this should be done without further delay,” the COIYN BOT Chairman said.

Edike, however, applauded the effort of the House of Assembly Member Representing Ibaji Constituency, Comrade Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba for the capacity shown thus far.

He noted that the lawmaker had barely 5 months in the Assembly demonstrated commitment towards the inauguration of the oil commission by raising a bill to that effect.

‘Today the bill for the KOSOPADEC has passed second reading and we are very proud of her capacity and leads. We appreciate the Governor for the extent that the bill has gone and we wish to urge him to intensify more efforts for the commission to be set up before the end of the year 2023.”

Mr Joseph Uchola, the Secretary to the Board of Trustees added that the Honourable member representing Ibaji has done excellently well by taking up the responsibility toward the bill for the KOSOPADEC creation to be passed into law by the State Assembly.

“We want to sincerely thank the Speaker and the lawmakers for their unalloyed support for Hon. Comfort to ensure that the bill is enacted into law. We want to appeal that the bill be given an urgent and considerable attention,” he said.

Also Speaking, Mr Jerry Nwuchola, the COIYN Program Director commended Gov. Bello for ensuring that the Kogi state joined the league of oil-producing states in Nigeria.

‘I want to use this opportunity to call on the people of Ibaji to work together to achieve greater things for our Local Government. Hon. Comfort is performing very well and she has promised to carry everyone along in her quest for a quality and impactful representation which will in no distance time bring infrastructure and human development,’ he said.

Kogi State officially joined oil-producing states in Nigeria following an approval granted by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). With the approval, Ibaji is expected to be eligible to benefit from the 13 percent Derivation Fund which mineral-producing states in Nigeria are statutorily entitled to.

“We are urging the state Government led by His Excellency, Governor Adoza Bello and the Kogi State House of Assembly led by the Rt. Hon. Alhaji Yusuf Aliyu-Umar to ensure that the bill for the creation of KOSOPADEC is passed as soon as possible,” Nwuchola said.