By Francis Sadhere
A Warri based legal activist Mr. Ernest Igbighogho Esq has advice Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor to withdraw her legal threats to the Delta State Government stating that same is not justifiable in the site of the law.
It would be recalled that Chief Ogbebor had earlier issued a one week ultimatum to the Delta State Government to withdraw the recent Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC,
In a press release tagged”DESOPADEC LAW AND THE OLORI-OGBEBOR LEGAL THREAT” Igbighogho said Lori-Ogbebor’s demand for the repeal of the Delta State DESOPADEC Law 2015 is misconceived and not in the interest of the oil producing communities in Delta State.
Igbighogho argued that, DESOPADEC Law provides for the sources of income of the commission to include 50% of the 135 derivation from the federation account and the functions of the commission to the development of the Oil Producing Areas (Communities) as stated in the in the development efforts of the Federal Government to Oil Producing Communities through the NDDC pointing out that the constitution of Nigeria is not in consonance with the legal threats of Lori Ogbebor siting Section 162(2) Sub-section 2,3,4,5 & 6.
According to Igbighogho, “There is no where communities producing or not producing oil
DESOPADEC, he said the only legal action Lori-Ogbebor her group can embark on is to ensure prudent management of the 135 derivation that accrues to the Host communities of Nigeria.
“The only legal action that Mama and her group can take is to ensure effective implementation of the
DESOPADEC LAW that is 50% of the 13% is fully utilize that is prudent management the 50% of the 13% of the Derivation and not to file legal suit with current position of the law and the constitution.”
While noting that oil producing communities in the Niger Delta have been marginalized over the years within the Nigeria State by the Federal Government and Multi-National Companies operating in Nigeria,
Igbighogho stated that the oppressive acts of the government and oil multinationals led to various struggles in the region.
