Rivers tells President to let States control their oil resources

Tam-George said the 1969 Petroleum Act, which gives the Federal Government the power to own revenues from petroleum resources, should be reversed.

Tam-George said this in Lagos on Tuesday, February 16, while addressing newsmen. He said the Federal Government is at variance with the spirit of true federalism.

READ: Governor Wike recalls suspended Commissioner, Accountant-General

The Commissioner, who lauded Buhari's anti-corruption war, urged the government to also battle ‘structural corruption’ in the country.

Hhe said, “We align with the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war but we are worried that structural corruption, which manifests in the inability of the Niger Delta states to control their oil resources, should be addressed. Seventy-four per cent of the national revenue disbursed to states comes from the Niger Delta, 20 per cent comes from the South-West, the remaining eight per cent is contributed by the South-East.

“The 1969 Petroleum Act has to be repealed. The control of oil resources by the Federal Government is a case of the state stealing from itself. This is structural corruption that must be checked. We are advocating that states should control their resources.”

The commissioner also cautioned the All Progressives Congress to desist from any plans to foment violence before, during or after the upcoming legislative election reruns in Rivers State.