The Senate, yesterday, recognised Kogi State as an oil producing state. The recognition followed a matter of personal explanation relating to the oil producing status of Kogi, through Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders, presented by Kogi East Senator, Jibrin Isah.

Isah informed the upper legislative chamber that Kogi is an oil producing state, “which has been receiving the constitutional 13 per cent derivation since October 2022,” adding that the development faults the position of the Senator representing Anambra North, Tony Nwoye, who stated, in his motion, yesterday, that Kogi is not an oil producing state.

The lawmaker reminded the Senate that oil was discovered in commercial quantities in Kogi East communities of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh of Ibaji local councils.

He said that the development had been assessed and affirmed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) since 2021.
Isah added: “The derivative was being paid to Kogi State based on peculiarities of oil producing states, as reflected in Section 162(2), which directs the constant reflection of the principle of derivation of not less than 13 per cent in any approved revenue allocation formula.”

The clarification was consequent upon a bill sponsored by Nwoye, seeking amendment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act to include Anambra as an oil producing State.

While presenting the bill, Nwoye said: “The neighbouring Kogi State was yet to receive 13 per cent derivative.”Upon interrogation by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary, the Anambra lawmaker could not substantiate his claims.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over yesterday’s plenary in the absence of Akpabio, sustained the clarification that Kogi State is an oil producing state. On Wednesday, the bill to include Anambra as one of the NDDC states was declined by senators amid rancour.