Group Defends Okowa Over N1tn Derivation Fund  Allegation

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Delta State chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas is defending the former governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, over allegations of the 13 per cent derivation funds that were allegedly used inappropriately.

Last week representatives of oil-producing communities in Delta State stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja to protest against the past administration over N1tn oil derivation fund belonging to the state that was misused by the Okowa administration.

In a statement on Thursday by the chairman of Delta HOSTCOM Sunday Enujeke and the Secretary Joseph Lamienghan said last week’s protest was politically motivated.

The group said the campaign was a calculated attempt to mislead the public by creating a wrong image of Dr Okowa.

According to the group, the 13 per cent Oil Derivation Fund earmarked for the development of oil and gas-bearing communities in Delta State “had been judiciously used by the immediate-past administration in the state.”

HOSTCOM furthermore appealed to Edwin Clark “not to allow himself to be used by politicians who are desperate power mongers seeking to settle cheap political scores.

The statement added with a call to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to build on the infrastructural development agenda of the immediate-past administration by putting in place tangible physical development for the teeming residents of the creeks in the Delta riverine areas.