*Ndudi Elumelu
Port Harcourt — The Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, has assured the people of Delta State on the speedy passage of the Nigerian Maritime University Bill into law.
Elumelu gave the assurance while speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executive members of Okerenkoko Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.
The lawmaker, who described as injustice the 13 percent oil derivative formula given to oil and gas states, said he would personally pushed for the passage of the Maritime University Bill in the National Assembly.
“I will be leading the Maritime University Bill to ensure an easy passage. If communities in Oron where the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is located are enjoying five percent, I don’t see why our communities in Delta should not enjoy 10percent.
“I assure you that we will panel-beat the existing law and bring it to first reading and within one week, we should go into second reading,” he said.
On the 13 percent oil derivative fund, Elumelu explained that the ongoing constitutional review seeks to correct the skewed derivation formula and commended the people of Delta State for participating in the public hearing on constitutional review.
He stated: “For me and my colleagues at the House of Representatives, we are totally against the marginalisation of host communities. We are saying that 13 percent is not enough for states that are suffering the brunt of crude oil and gas.
“We deserved more than 13 percent and that is what the constitutional review is trying to address. The House has set up a committee on host communities, to understand the yearnings and aspirations of host communities , particularly oil and gas host communities.”
