Chiefs from the Western Region are not pleased with the decision not to grant them 10 per cent of revenues expected to accrue from the Jubilee Oil Fields for development purposes. Four Minority Members of Parliament had prayed the House to amend a portion of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill to grant a request by the chiefs that 10 per cent of the oil revenues is lodged into a special account accessible only by the region for their own projects. But the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Doe Adjaho on Wednesday struck out the proposal by the four MPs and told Parliament the request could not be met because it contravenes some sections of the Standing Orders of Parliament, citing Standing Order 122(b) and 128 IV (b) as well as Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution. President of Western Regional House of Chiefs, Awulae Attibrukusu III told Citi FM the chiefs would convene a meeting soon; “as early as possible” he noted, to “take collective decision” on their next line of action after parliament’s disappointment. He remarked regretfully: “We were so surprised and so disappointed. The 10% that we are demanding are not for the people of the Western Region alone or for the chiefs in the Western Region. All that we are demanding is that the 10% should be lodged in a Western corridor [fund] to be used for developments in the area.” He said the people of the Western Region have been “sidelined” for far too long. “If Ghana is a human being then you will say the Western Region would be the heart of the person, but if as a human being the heart that controls you is being manipulated or is not taken [good] care of, then where is your fate?” Meanwhile Director of the Western Regional Coordinating Council, David Yaro told Myjoyonline.com last month it would be difficult for the government to meet the demand for 10 percent oil revenues. “It’s not visible to say that we are giving you 10%...but what government can do is to skew development agenda of the country in favour of the Western Region, so that at the end of the day that 10% demand would have been met.” Even though he acknowledged the effect the oil production will have on the region’s infrastructure like roads and hospitals, he was hopeful the government’s budget would give priority to the region when it comes to the allocation of projects. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana