How Izon man and Nation underdeveloped herself. The Bayelsa experience

 

By Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS. 

The Izon ethnic nationality is one of largest nationalities in the present day Nigeria federation. It ranked fourth

in terms of available population data.

The Izon's are predominantly found in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the home of Black gold date back 1956 and holds the history of the first commercial discovery at Obagi in Olobiri district or clan in present day Ogbia local government Area of Bayelsa state. 

However and interestingly,  Izon's are  found outside the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and west Africa countries. 

Upon the golden Blessings of the Izon man and Nation the people had not fair well in terms of development in all ramifications. 

The geography and the living standards of the Izon man atest to the above statement and assertion till date. (2024)

It's on record that the Izon man had tasted the most prime office of the land in (Nigeria ). Yet the narrative is indifferent for obvious reasons known to all.

Hypothetically,  when a problem is identified,  it's seems solved but this is not the case for now on the subject matter. 

This goes to say that having a spot at the Presidency is not necessarily the solution to our collective denial and deprivation of healthy living, welfare and development. 

Despite the fact that draconian laws remain the bane, such as petroleum act, land use act/ decree, revenue allocation formula, political switch derivation principle etc. 

The later above  bane( political switch derivation principle) in the country is a flash point of discrimination.

As even during the colonial era and  post early independence derivation principle fair better than the thirteen percent obtainable now.

Date back 1946 till date,  numerous revenue formula had come to being. 

These revenue formula are based on series of indices. The fiscal system has not only been dictated by political and constitutional development that engulfed. 

However, it has been the outcome of several adhoc commission or committees,  each of these has always  come up with some interim formulae for sharing the country revenue rather than proffering a system that will stand the test of time. 

Hence, we witness......

Philipson 1946, with emphasis on derivation, population, as the main medium for revenue sharing. 

Hicks commission of 1951/53 centres on Derivation, need,  national interest. 

 While  Raisoman 1958 commission noted Derivation, need, population and Balance development. 

Binns 1964 commission dowels on financial comparability, need and even development.

Dina 1968..need, Balance development, Derivation, minimum national standard.

Okaigbo 1980..minimum responsibility,  population, internal revenue efforts,  primary school enrollment. 

It's important to note that need and National interest is fluid by population in the various outcome. 

But interestingly and very unfortunately this political colouration could not earn Nigeria a higher production quota in Opec as against countries with relatively lower population figures such as  Saudi Abrabia from available population data. 

However, John Rawls in 1971 while  noting need, population, national interest emphasis the place of justice and equity. 

In all of these, Hicks commission is the most outstanding, base on it recommendation of 100% mining rents and Royalties to region (Area) according to the extraction of minerals. 

But Rasiman in 1958 was in sharp contrast and torn on Hicks  commission. 

Hence, Rasiman noted and emphasized that certain revenue be paid into a distributing pool (federal government) to a combination of criteria as noted..population, financial needs, Balance development etc. 

Thus recommended..50% to regions of production. 20% to federal government. 30% to distribution pool.

Thereafter, there was no notable departure from Binns in 1964. 

While 1967 to 77 witness sharp differences with Decree number 13 of 1970 with...

Regions 45%. Federal government 5%.Distribution pool 50%.

Emphatically,  all post 1970 revenue formula reforms were designed to infact de emphasize Derivation principle and it place. 

As, derivation principle witness nosedive. In 1982, the national Assembly approved the following. 

Federal government 55%. States of federation 32%. Local government areas 10%.production Areas 1.5% . Ecological fund 1.5%.

The era in question brought to bear  land mass / terrain in place of internal revenue efforts and equity of state without consideration of water mass and coastal line of littoral states. 

The Izon's whom occupy 65% of Nigeria coastal line had not acted responsively to inherited locational advantage due us.

The nosedive revenue production areas is recorded within Ayoyade commission of 1977, amendment of Decree 1984, National revenue mobilization and allocation fiscal commission of 1989.

However, 1989 recommendation of  NRMAFC  placed population and land mass over producing areas, as the states end up receiving and getting smaller portions of her resources but later recommended 3% that was effected in 1992 which metamorphosed to OMPADEC..oil mineral producing area development commission. 

Under the regime of  General Ibrahim  Babangida while ray of light was witnessed in the days of General Sani Abacha in 1998 via constitutional conference enshrined in the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 13% derivation for crude oil production areas. 

The 13% is not a seal but we witness in the days of President OBJ that rather than improving on the minimum.

 Derivation was subjected to unnecessary politics that remains unhealthy and deposited sad tales. It becomes crude oil and gas or off and on shore dichotomy political dramas. 

Upon the fact that the development of the region is tied to commission were crude oil and gas are determinant.  Unlike Abuja,  the federal capital of Nigeria. 

Numerous leaders of the region date back 1954 had frown at the poor  developmental strides mete the region. 

Hence, in 1958. Wilcox commission has stated that the region should be developed base on preference as witness in the case of Abuja much later.

Be that  it may be, Nigeria state had not departed from attempting to address the region development via agencies .

NBDA 1980, OMPADEC 1992, NDDC 2000, and about to record south south commission in no distance time. 

As the case of south west, south east, Middle Belt, North west and east commissions respectively. 

Nigeria is gradually returning to regionalism that might usher in healthy competitions and ultilization of resources among regions as it was in  yester   years in Nigeria, all things being equal and need fully.

The above might bring to an end monocultural  economy that is in place in Nigeria, were the nation solely depend on crude oil and gas at the detriment of other vital mineral potentials exploited indiscriminately and without recourse to the federation interest but that of few person's.

The above later is said to be responsive for the seemingly endless security infractions in parts of the country, particularly the north.

In all of these uncharitable constitutional impediments copiously established and displayed.

The Izon man and nation could not be absolutely excused for underdeveloping herself. 

Firstly, the Izon nation had expressed inconsistency in her struggle for a better place and idea in the Nigeria federation. 

Outside fore bearers that have pain strikingly, consistently agitated for self rule and determination.

In the likes of Chief Ernest Okoli , Chief Dappa Briye,etc  while the likes of

Senior Melford Okilo,  Major Adaka Boro etc are transitional agitators between our fore bearers and second  generation.

The second generation of agitation spear headed by Chief  DSP ALAMEYESIAGHA,  Prof kemese Okoko etc. which brought to bear the popular slogan of resource control. 

Shortly  thereafter, agitation lost it steam in the Niger Delta region, as INC, IYC grow emotional to a fault with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, arrived the centre stage.

The agitations is at crossroad, traces of betrayal and commercialization of the struggle  witnessed.

Hence, the Izon nation is very vulnerable  and sovereignty eroded in an unimaginably proportion.

The voice of the Izon nation lost her rating, place in the commity of Nations in Nigeria and beyond.

It's not mere emphasis that the social cultural organisation of  INC and various youth wings had become appendages to government .

Upon the social malady recorded.  The Izon nation had not witnessed drought in human resource in all generations. 

This is copiously deposited far back ages.

His Royal majesty king Afred  Diete Spiff of Brass fits into the above statement. 

His  record yet to being broken universally as Governor at the age of twenty four.

Izon nation and people witness the giant strides of Diete Spiff in old Rivers state. 

The syndrome of first is an institutionalised issue, as was the first to build flyover,  high raising structures ...podium block, Olympic hotel, Presidential hotel and many other projects in Niger Delta region. 

While Chief Melford Okilo impacted the entire then old River state by massively rural electrification, first to execute canalization project which made transportation easier in certain parts of the state and same time mitigate flood. Urbanization efforts noted too..Boro, Bori and Ogbia town etc. 

In the case of Chief Ada George , he's seen and referred to as the father of modern Port Harcourt via massive openings of roads for present day radial expansion of Port Harcourt . However and regrettably his tenure was cut short by military coup.

Worthy of note of later military Administrator of Izon stock that might not have impact Izon land so to say because they were deployed out their state of origin by policy introduced at their time.

The likes of Brig Gen J E Yeri and  High Chief Walter Fehabo etc easily come to mind. 

Interestingly, they are highly priced in their respective states of assignment and earned Izon nation  remarkably proud via their performance.

 Testimonies are bound to this effect in old Bendel and Ebonyi states respectively. 

Here comes the Bayelsa state phenomenon and traces of self undevelopment

During the days of  Chief Dsp Alameyesiagha and Chief Goodluck Jonathan as then Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. 

Resource control agitations was at it climax and prime. This era occasioned Bayelsa acquisition of oil Block, again first state to own oil block. 

This remain remarkable and the first deliberate attempt at industrialisation of Bayelsa state.

Secondly, the direct participation in monocultural economy of Nigeria.

Thereafter, followed by Chief Timpre Sylva industrialisation effort of Bayelsa state plastic company. 

Unfortunately, nothing likely to be said positive ly of these signposted land mark achievements in the last thirteen years to 2024 and likely beyond. 

It's pitiable that even our umbilical cord(oil Block) owned by the state ended up  being revoked while Senator Dickson Seriake reigns as Governor. 

Whereas, the duo reigns of Chief DSP Alameyesiagha and Chief Timpre Sylva had preserved and sustained this propulsive multiplier, economy revolutions in the sphere of oil Block.