By: Elizabeth Christopher
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, has reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas host communities receive fair, transparent, and constitutionally guaranteed benefits from the nation’s natural resources.
Dr Shehu made this declaration when he received a high-powered delegation from the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), led by its Chairman, Prince Michael Emuh, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr Shehu commended HOSCON for its constructive and peace-driven advocacy, noting that the stability and prosperity of the oil and gas sector depend on the cooperation and well-being of host communities.
“Without the peace and partnership of the host communities, the exploration and production of oil and gas in Nigeria would not be possible,” he stated.
The RMAFC Chairman assured them that the Commission would critically examine HOSCON’s position paper and engage relevant institutions to establish a sustainable and transparent framework for managing and monitoring the 13% derivation fund.
“This issue demands a delicate balance between constitutional provisions, judicial interpretations, and the practical realities of state-level fund management,” he added.
In his remarks, Prince Michael Emuh, National Chairman of HOSCON, expressed gratitude for the Commission’s openness and described the meeting as “a new dawn for the long-neglected communities that lay the golden egg.”
He lamented that despite their enormous contributions to national revenue, host communities continue to suffer neglect, urging the Commission to champion mechanisms that guarantee direct and accountable benefit-sharing.
During the interactive session, several Federal Commissioners reaffirmed RMAFC’s commitment to equitable revenue distribution and development justice for host communities.
Desmond Akawor (Rivers State) praised HOSCON’s presentation as timely and strategic, calling for a robust monitoring framework to track 13% derivation fund utilisation.
Nkechi Otti (Abia State) urged host communities to protect government-funded projects from vandalism, ensuring long-term community benefits.
Mohammed Kabeer Usman (Gombe State) advised that sustainable results must come through dialogue, legislation, and institutional engagement rather than confrontation.
Ibrahim Sa’ad Bello (Plateau State) emphasised the need for a clear constitutional framework to guarantee that funds reach grassroots beneficiaries.
Imoh Akpan Effiong (Akwa Ibom State) commended HOSCON’s constructive engagement and assured them that RMAFC will carefully review their proposals for meaningful implementation.
The Secretary to the Commission, Joseph Okechukwu Nwaeze, reaffirmed RMAFC’s dedication to fairness, transparency, and justice, assuring them that the Commission will ensure host community advocacy efforts yield tangible results.
Similarly, the Technical Assistant to the Chairman, Prof Aliyu Idris, lauded HOSCON for engaging through the right institutional channel and advised the group to formalise its advocacy by submitting a memorandum to the National Assembly proposing a constitutional framework for the 13% derivation fund.
“Once embedded in the Constitution, compliance becomes mandatory for all state governments,” he emphasised.
The meeting underscored RMAFC’s role as a bridge between policy and equity, reaffirming its resolve to ensure that the wealth generated from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector translates into tangible development and improved livelihoods for the people who make production possible.