Allocating Oil Blocks to IOCs, Individuals Illegal, Falana Writes President
*Wants federal and state govts to handle oil blocks
*Says IOC, individuals make more money than Nigeria from oil blocks
President Muhammed Buhari was weekend told that allocation of crude oil blocks to international oil companies (IOCs) and individuals was unconstitutional and should be stopped.
This was contained in a letter sent to the President by human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana who said allocation of oil blocks should henceforth be to the federal and state governments.
Falana explained that the situation in Nigeria is that those who got oil blocks were becoming richer than the country.
According to him, such individuals and IOCs make more money than Nigeria in the business.
Falana in the letter sighted by newsmen added, “by allocating oil blocks to a few individuals and corporate bodies the federal government has violated Section 16(2) (c) of the Constitution which provides that “the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.”
“By merely collecting huge rents the oil block owners become stupendously rich while the federal, state and local governments depend on loans and bailout to pay salaries and carry out basic infrastructural development of the country.
“Thus, by allocating oil blocks to a few individuals and corporate bodies the federal government has violated Section 16(2) (c) of the Constitution which provides that “the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.”
“Therefore, pursuant to article 22 thereof which has imposed a duty on the federal government to freely dispose of the wealth and national resources of the nation in the exclusive interests of the Nigerian people, we urge your excellency to desist from allocating oil blocks to a select group of Nigerians and foreigners.
“In view of the foregoing, we urge your excellency to restrict the allocation of oil blocks, including marginal fields to the federal government and the governments of the 36 states of the federation.
“This request is in line with Section 16 (1) (b) of the Constitution which has mandated the Nigerian State to “control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.”
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