STAKEHOLDERS of Niger-Delta disagreed, yesterday,
on some important provisions in the newly-passed
Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, by the National Assembly,
as some leaders stated the measly three-five per cent
equity share to host communities would trigger crisis
in due course, while others said it was another
landmark by President Muhammadu Buhari
administration.

Former National Chairman, Traditional Rulers of Oil
Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria,
TROMPCON, and Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom, Delta
State, HM. Dr. Charles Ayemi-Botu, is among those
who cautioned House of Representatives and Senate
“should meet to harmonize the controversial and
inconsistent percentages to a modest 10 per cent to
allay fears of another round of crisis in the volatile
Niger-Delta.”

But, Chairperson, Niger Delta People’s Movement
(NDPM), Mrs Ibifuro Tatua, leading a collection of
Niger-Delta leaders, in a statement, Friday,
highlighted the gains of PIB, declaring the passage by
the 9th Nigeria National Assembly as a pointer to
Nigeria’s path to greatness and development.

It‘ll generate tension – Monarch
HM Ayemi-Botu told Saturday Vanguard: “It is a
commendable effort by NASS to have passed the PIB
after several years of delay.

“From the onset of the initiation of the Bill, a modest
10 per cent was earmarked for the host communities
to ameliorate the litany of resultant hazards accruing
from oil exploitation/exploration by multinationals as
well as indigenous oil companies for the past 65 years
and the years to come.

“Unfortunately the PIB was so politicized and
unnecessarily dragged on until it was eventually
passed with discrepancies by both Houses as to the
percentage given to the host communities, i.e. 3 per
cent and five per cent respectively, which has glaring
bias that is unacceptable and a total disservice to the
host communities, capable of generating tension in the
region in the foreseeable future.

Host communities should be defined – Ogbonna,
Itsekiri leader
Agreeing with the traditional ruler, Secretary, Warri
Consultative Forum, WCF, Warri, Delta State, Comrade
Amechi Ogbonna, warned that three per cent and five
per cent equity shareholding separately approved for
host communities would instigate inter-communal
crisis in Niger-Delta region.

Ogbonna, an Itsekiri leader, told Saturday Vanguard:
“Three – five per cent is not the solution to the
underdevelopment in host community. This bill will
lead to inter -community crisis, what measure do they
want to use to identify the host community.”

“As for me, the Bill is a Trojan gift, even the 13 per
cent derivation to oil states is nowhere to be found.
The first thing is for the National Assembly to identify
the host community and to be included in the bill, if
not, it is bloodbath,” added.

3% will resuscitate agitations— Cleric, activist
National President, Centre for Human Rights and Anti-
Corruption Crusade, CHURAC, Cleric E. Alaowei, Esq.,
in a statement, said: “The percentage approved for the
beleaguered oil bearing communities as their equity
share in the PIB passed by the Senate is not only
demeaning, but an insult to the environmentally
degraded host communities.

“What can 3 per cent do to cushion the effects of the
years of the degradation and despoliation of the
ecosystem?

“When the Bill was introduced by Yar’Adua
government at the time of the militants’ agitations for
equity and fair share in the production quota, 10 per
cent equity share was voted in then proposed Bill for
the host communities. The same was one of the
bargaining lines of discuss to lull the restive Niger
Delta people.

“The House joint committee should look into the
danger in passing the Bill into law. Niger Delta people
need nothing less than 10 per cent equity share as
originally agreed.

“National Assembly should strive to consider the
interest of the people, who bear the brunt in passing
the PIB. 3 per cent will sure resurrect agitations in the
region.

Mrs. Tatua –led NDPM frowned at the opposition,
saying: “It is another benchmark for ensuring
transparency and accountability in the oil and gas
industry. We see a country on the point of incredible
achievement and advancement.”

In a statement in Port Harcourt, the leaders described
the passage of the complete version of the PIB as
another landmark of President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration.

‘’It is a good development that is capable of yielding a
beneficial outcome” the leaders said, commending the
efforts of President Buhari, Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and 9th
National Assembly lawmakers in repositioning of
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

“This is another benchmark set in Nigeria, in a crucial
sector that is key to Nigeria’s economic growth and
stability,” they said.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/07/pib-niger-delta-leaders-stakeholders-differ/

I hope PIB is not a hoax Mynd44

Well...