N16 Billion Allocation: What Gives You The Audacity To Insult Cross River With Reckless Abandon? – Buhari’s Former Aide Blasts NDDC

Obol Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide to Muhammadu Buhari has said that the N16 billion allocated to Cross River by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for capital projects in 2023/2024 is inadequate and unjust.

Naija News understands that the NDDC, in its publication, which comprises nine states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers States, declared the allocation for projects under their Appropriation Act 2023.

Reacting to the development via a statement released on Saturday morning, Obono-Obla said that the allocation is unconstitutional and should be declined.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said that the NDDC insulted the people of Cross River with reckless abandon and ignominy.

He lamented that the argument that Cross River was only getting 16 billion out of the 900 billion allocation because the state does not contribute anything to oil production is wicked and malicious.

He said, “What gives the NDDC the audacity to insult the people of Cross River State with reckless abandon and ignominy, whereas every state enumerated is equal to each other and must be treated equally without any shade or iota of discrimination?”

“The argument that the makers of the Budget or Appropriation Act premised their decision to allocate only N16 billion to Cross River State (out of N900 billion) because the State does not contribute anything to oil production is therefore wicked, illegal, wrongful, twisted, untenable, malicious, balderdash, and perverse. There is nothing under the NDDC Act to support such an argument.”

According to him, the management of the NDDC cannot input or impose something that is not contemplated by the NDDC Act.

He added that it is unconstitutional because the Nigerian Constitution prohibits any form of discrimination against any person or group of persons or entities under any guise and ramifications.

He further argued that the 13% derivation principle has no bearing on the sharing template developed by the NDDC management, making the appropriation unconstitutional.