Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, has appealed to the Federal Government to implement Monday’s ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on oil derivation arrears due to the state.
The court had ordered the Federal Government to pay Bayelsa $951m as 13 per cent derivative arrears.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the judgement, held that the Attorney-General of the Federation, the sole defendant in the case, failed to enter his defence in the suit.
Governor Douye Diri made the appeal in his first public reaction to the ruling on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor asserted that the money was due to the state based on the constitution and the 13 per cent derivation principle.
Diri, who said his administration was open to dialogue with the Federal Government to amicably resolve the matter, noted that constant litigations would not engender cordial relationship between states and the centre.
His words, “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to implement the consent judgement that has been delivered.
“We are prepared for dialogue to ensure that we have a smooth relationship with the Federal Government. We believe that governments are one and the same, and we have the task of protecting and bringing peace to our country. Litigations would not bind us together as a people.”
