Again, N’Assembly Says PIGB Transmitted to Buhari as Host Communities Kick

Clark warns Niger Delta youths getting restive over underdevelopment

The National Assembly on Friday said it had finally transmitted the final harmonised copy of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent, making it the second time it has claimed to do so in about one month even though the presidency denied receiving the bill at the first occasion.

This is as Leaders of oil and gas producing communities in Delta State have vowed to resist any attempt by the National Assembly to further enslave and impoverish host communities in the controversial provisions in the Petroleum Host and Impacted Communities Development Bill, warning that implementing them would plunge host communities into crises.

Also, Elder statesman and National Leader of led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Chief Edwin Clark yesterday raised the alarm that youths of the Niger Delta were becoming restless over continued flagrant deprivation and neglect of the region by the Federal Government.

Both Hon. Victor Nwokolo, who is the Chairman, Petroleum Upstream of the House of Representatives and Hon. Akinlaja Joseph, who is the Chairman, Petroleum Committee Downstream in the House told journalists in Abuja that President Buhari would have received the bill by now.

The harmonised PIGB was passed by both Chambers - Senate and House, in March 2018, and reportedly transmitted to Buhari.

However the presidency through Mr. Ita Enang, a presidential parliamentary aide, debunked claims the bill was with Buhari.

Reports subsequently emerged that it was not transmitted to the president by the Clerk to the National Assembly due to a legal advice received from the National Assembly Legal Services Directorate, which observed some grey areas in the versions passed by the two chambers.

Nwokolo who doubles as Deputy Chairman of the Adhoc Committee on the PIB however said: “Everything has been cleared, it should be at the president’s table today bearing in mind that we are going on break today.

“It has gone through all the processes and the issue raised by the legal department has been properly taken care of. So, there is no hindrance anymore. All that is left is for the assent of Mr. President,” he added. The lawmakers spoke on the sidelines of the Rotary District 9125 9th District Conference.

“We have finished everything about the PIGB. It should be on its way to the president,” Akinalaja, in his remarks said, adding that the three remaining aspect of the omnibus Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) from which the PIGB was created would be passed before the end of the current eight Assembly.

“After the recess, we will bring back the bills to plenary on both chambers and then there will be concurrence and it will be passed,” he said.

The PIGB is one part of the PIB that had been split into four, it will when assented to by Buhari, seek to rebirth the governance framework of Nigeria’s petroleum industry which experts say was archaic and unfit for the progress of the industry.

The position of the leaders of the oil producing areas is contained in an open letter by Gbaramatu-EgbemaOgulagha Coastal Communities Front (GEOCCF) to Senate President, dated 4th June, 2018, and signed by Hon. George U. Timinimi (MIoD, MCIArb), President, Chief Bright Abilo, Fredrick Igere, Shandors Tortor, Philemon Ugedi, Chief Freason Dose, Ekio Youpele.

They insisted that the Petroleum Host Communities Fund should be maintained at 10 per cent monthly profit of oil companies as was initially proposed and totally rejected the paltry 2.5 per cent proposal and enormous powers and functions given to oil companies under the instant bill.

“Any attempt to use the instrument of legislation to alter the present structures would result in instability in operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited and other oil companies. The oil companies have no business in determining the emergence of community representatives who manage the host and impacted communities fund.