Niger Delta leaders have reiterated the call for amendment of the Petroleum Act of 1969, insisting that the royalties derived from oil and gas production could be equitably distributed to host communities to enable them derive the greatest benefits from oil exploitation.

They also called for the establishment of the Niger Delta Reconstruction and Development Bank to serve as the custodian of the funds accruing to the communities from the royalties, saying the funds should be managed by a consortium of banks supervised by a board composed largely of technocrats and should have advisory committee with people from the region forming the majority of the membership to approve the programmes and projects.

This forms the high point of the communique issued at a meeting in Sapele convened by Senator David Dafinone.

The meeting made some far-reaching recommendations on how to resolve the protracted Niger Delta crisis.

They once again called for a comprehensive ceasefire with the demilitarisation of the region, adding that it is the first step to engendering lasting peace.

According to them, the armed struggle in the area is as a result of injustice in the relations formed around oil extraction activities, saying that the injustice must cease so that armed conflict could be put to an end in the region.

The two-page communiquÈ was endorsed by Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, Dr. Festus Iyayi, Adolo Okotie-Eboh and Emmanuel Aguariavwodo.

"This will extend the derivation principle and Mining Act of 1969 throughout the 200 nautical miles breath of the continental shelf or to any greater width that may be approved by the United Nations for Nigeria'', the communiquÈ read.

They also reiterated the demands for the amendment of the Land Use Act to enshrine the rights of owners of the lands, adding that the amendment of the Petroleum Act 1969 should include provision that will involve the states, local governments and communities in whose territory the resources to be mined are situated at the negotiating stage before granting of any licence and urged oil companies to put a final stop to gas flaring by complying with international standard, adding that they should be held responsible for any negative impact of their operations in the region.

They, however, urged that steps be taken to harmonise all the positions reached by other groups in the region such as the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta chaired by Prof. Kimse Okoko.

Meanwhile, Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which had impaired optimal performance by the plant, had been completed.

The FCC, regarded as the heart of refining operation, would be inaugurated next week by President Yar'Adua to pave way for optimal performance by the refinery.

Daily Independent gathered that the FCC unit in Kaduna refinery will come up next week and with Warri and Port Harcourt refineries working very well, it means that the local refining capacity would appreciate tremendously.

Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Levi Ajuonuma, who confirmed the report, attributed the feat to the sound leadership and managerial skills of the corporation's Managing Director, Abubakah Yar'Adua, and commitment of the management and staff of Kaduna refinery.