The Nigerian Senate has officially recognized Kogi State as an oil producing state, settling a contentious debate that has been ongoing within the upper legislative chamber.
The recognition came after Senator Jibrin Isah of Kogi East presented a matter of personal explanation under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders.
Senator Isah informed his colleagues that Kogi State has been receiving the constitutional 13% derivation since October 2022, emphasizing that the state meets the criteria for oil producing status.
He cited specific communities in Kogi East where oil was discovered in commercial quantities, and highlighted that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) had affirmed Kogi’s oil producing status since 2021.
The clarification provided by Senator Isah was in response to a bill sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, which sought to amend the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act to include Anambra as an oil producing state.
Senator Nwoye’s claim that Kogi had not received the 13% derivation was refuted during Senate proceedings, as he failed to substantiate his assertion.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, presiding over Thursday’s plenary, upheld Senator Isah’s clarification, confirming Kogi State’s status as an oil producing state. This decision comes amidst rancorous debates within the Senate, particularly regarding the inclusion of Anambra in the NDDC states.
