Ovie Adasaji
Akwa Ibom state has been named among the few states in Nigeria that have shared a total of N2.8trn between 2015 and 2020. The state was named as one of the nine oil producing states that have possibly had top shares in the federal allocation to state governments within the years in mention.
The other oil producing states, barring the expected addition of Anambra anytime soon, are Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Abia and Lagos.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in reaction to claims of neglect and under-development by communities hosting oil and gas resources and facilities in the country, has revealed that oil-producing states in the country received a total of N2.769 trillion from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2020.
According to CBN, the states received 5.64% of the N49.09trn total federal revenue in the period captured, and 10.47% of the N26.45trn total earnings from oil and gas for the same period.
Giving a breakdown of the amount paid to the states under the 13 per cent derivation, the CBN noted that in 2015, N410.26 billion was disbursed to the states, while in 2016 and 2017, N294.69 billion and N417.14 billion were paid, respectively.
In addition, the CBN reported that N640.13 billion, N550.13 billion and N456.66 billion were paid to the states in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
On a general note, the CBN disclosed that the total federal revenue for the period stood at N6.913trn, N5.616trn, N7.445trn, N9.552trn, N10.263trn and N9.303trn for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
On the other hand, the CBN stated that the country recorded oil revenue of N3.83 trillion, N2.694 trillion, N4.109 trillion, N5.546 trillion, N5.537 trillion and N4.733 trillion, in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Reporting on oil earnings, the CBN accounted for 53.88% of the country’s total revenue profile for the six-year period, while non-oil earnings account for the balance of 46.12%.
Oil-producing communities had consistently accused the Federal Government and oil companies of neglect, exploitation and degradation of their environment, as well as showing little concern towards the development of the communities.
However, several reports had shown that the trillions allocated to the oil-producing communities over the years had either been mismanaged and squandered, having little or no impact on the lives of people in the communities.
Researched reports have also revealed that despite the huge funds allocated to the Niger Delta area over the years, people of the region still suffer from minimal access to electricity, absence of portable drinking water, lack of good health care facilities, as well as and poor educational infrastructure.
