Senate Rejects Bill to Include Anambra in NDDC: Why the State Remains Excluded

The Senate recently rejected a bill seeking to include Anambra as one of the member states of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, aimed to amend the Niger Delta Development (Establishment, etc.) Act N 86 LFN 2004 to include Anambra as a member state.

Anambra is now among the oil-producing states and is receiving 13% derivation from the Federation, but it cannot be added to the NDDC due to the purpose for which the agency was established.

The NDDC was created to address the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region following oil exploration activities.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, explained that the inclusion of Anambra would go against the purpose of the NDDC, as the state is not part of the Niger Delta region.

He suggested that a wider development commission could be created to include all oil-producing states, rather than multiple developmental commissions.

Senator Nwoye argued that the inclusion of Anambra is justified as the state has officially been recognized as a petroleum-bearing and oil-producing state since July 27, 2021, by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

He cited the 14 oil wells attributed to the state and the fact that it has been receiving its share of 13% mineral derivation revenue since July 2022.

However, the Senate ultimately decided against the inclusion of Anambra in the NDDC, as it would be inconsistent with the purpose and principles of the commission.

The Senate’s decision highlights the importance of maintaining the focus of the NDDC on addressing the specific challenges faced by the Niger Delta region and ensuring that the agency’s resources are directed towards the development of the area.