The Senate has dismissed a proposal to incorporate Anambra State into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), following a heated debate during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Senators Tony Nwoye (LP Anambra North) and Jibrin Isah, also known as Echocho (APC Kogi East), engaged in a spirited argument over the matter. Nwoye, presenting his case for amending the NDDC Act to include Anambra as an oil-producing state, cited the state’s receipt of 13% derivation since 2021 due to its significant oil production volume.
However, several senators opposed Nwoye’s argument, citing examples like Kogi and Lagos, which despite having oil wells, are not covered by the NDDC’s operations.
Echocho contended that the NDDC’s mandate is regional rather than exclusively for oil-producing states. He pointed out that Kogi, like Anambra, receives 13% derivation but is not part of the NDDC’s purview.
Nwoye countered, stating that his documentation showed Anambra, not Kogi, has been receiving the derivation.
Attempting to ease tensions, Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggested that if Anambra were to be considered for NDDC membership, Lagos, which has oil wells in Badagry, might also seek inclusion.
Akpabio further noted that while Nwoye argued Anambra’s geographical proximity to the Niger Delta justifies inclusion, such decisions fall under the National Boundary Commission’s jurisdiction.
The bill’s passage for a second reading was put to a voice vote, with opposing senators outnumbering those in favor. Consequently, the bill was dropped by the Red Chamber.