Akpabio under fire over 3% HOSCOM fund

An ex-agitator in the Niger Delta, ‘General’ A. Amagbein, has cautioned the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to backpedal on his alleged covert move to control the three per cent fund provided in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to the host communities.

Amagbein, popularly known as the ‘Rivers Lord’, raised the alarm on Saturday during an interactive meeting of host communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The ex-militant warlord was reacting to the alleged reported call by Akpabio that the payment of the fund meant for the host communities be managed by the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for effective management and disbursement.

He described the statement by the minister as unfortunate and a well-rehearsed plot to hijack the funds due to the host communities that had not felt the impact of the 13 per cent derivation accruing to the governments of the region.

He alleged that Akpabio had been deceiving President Muhammadu Buhari from inaugurating the board of the NDDC, citing the commission’s forensic audit as an excuse.

He noted that the July date promised by Akpabio for President Buhari to constitute the NDDC board as the forensic audit had been submitted had expired, warning the minister to stop playing on the intelligence of the people of the Niger Delta.

He called on every well-meaning sons and daughters of the region to resist any attempt by anybody including Akpabio to dabble in the management of the three per cent fund which he stated was not under the control of his ministry and parastatal.