Nation
PIB: Mark Slams Oil Firms Over Threats To Quit Nigeria
President of the Senate , David Mark has made it clear to Multi national oil companies operating in Nigeria that the federal government would never be swayed by intimidation and blackmail from them over the Petroleum Industrial Bill.
As if resounding. the Federal Government’ s determination to see to the actuallisation of the provisions of the PIB, the Minister of Petroleum Diezani Allison also urged stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Sectors not to politicize the Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB), adding that the full implementation of the bill when it is passed into law would most likely take a number of years.
Senator Mark and the Petroleum Minister made these known in their remarks at the public hearing. on Petroleum Industrial Bill organized by Senate Joint Committees.
Mark in his key note address, noted that the PIB failed to scale through the 6th National Assemblies owing to spanners thrown here and there from those who never wanted the bill to see the light of the day. The Senate President explained that the PIB failed on the feet of allegations from some quarters that there are different versions of the bill in circulation.
His words: “The 6th National Assembly tried to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, it failed to do so. For some inexplicable reason the bill moved up and down and at the end of the day we had several versions of the bill. “Sixth
National Assembly tried but failed to pass the bill due to proliferation of various versions of the bill. We are conscious of the fact that this bill must be a win-win situation for IOCs and FG.”
The Minister of Petroleum , pointed out that if such bill like PIB is personalized or politicized, it would amount to cheapening the effects and efficacy of such bill.
According to Mrs Allison Madueke, “This same law is for all Nigerians and of all parts of the country and that is the intent of the letter of the law which we hoped it will provide. It should be very clear that when we personalize or politicise bills of this magnitude and tremendous economic importance to the nation, then we have cheapened those bills and we have cheapened the effects and efficacy of such bills for the entire nation and the entire economy.
Her words: “We took as best practice the laws of those places like the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Norway and yet, we did not confer upon the Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria the extent of powers that those countries have conferred on their ministers. So we actually mitigated about the powers of the Petroleum Minister.
“Full and efficient implementation of any law as robust as the PIB takes a number of years. You cannot pass or promulgate a bill into law overnight and that is quite obvious. But a complex one like the one in question with many facets takes a number of years for full implementation in all its ramifications.
“ By the time your National Oil Company is fully up and running, working seamlessly, we are talking about four, five or, six years down the road. By the time the other institutions and entities we look forward to, as delineated in this bill, are in full implementation and running as efficiently as we expect them to run, we are talking of six, seven years time down the road.
“By that time, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Petroleum Minister, Allison-Madueke, will not be in office. That is obviously clear. So this is not a bill that should be personalized or politicised. It was not put forward for that reason whatsoever; it was put forward for the benefit of the nation, the economy and all Nigerian people in whole, bearing in mind that we expect, in the next few years, to find oil or hydro-carbon in other parts of the country. In fact, that is what we are desperately trying to do, which means we diversify our hydro-carbon base completely.”
The Niger state government, represented by the Attorney General of the state , Abdulahi Bawa making a presentation on the Bill. expressed dissatisfaction with provision of 10 percent host communities fund in the bill and enormous power and authority granted a sitting Minister of Petroleum Resource .
The representative of state Governor of Niger State, said the most controversial provision of PIB 2012 is introduction of the Host Communities fund which is creating a fourth tier of Government to sharing of the revenue of the Federation.
Bawa said,” it is not justifiable to grant disproportionate powers over policy, regulatory and operational issues of the Petroleum Sector on sitting Minister as envisioned by the bill.”
Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, (NEITI) called for reduction of sitting Minister power as provided for in the bill saying that will create strong autonomous institutions that will promote effective governances and controls in the management of Nigeria Petroleum Resources.
NEITI added that appointments and removal of heads of institutions created by the bill should be with concurrence of the National Assembly.
On host communities Fund, the Transparency outfit argued that there should be complete conformity in the treatment of all communities located in minerals producing areas, including petroleum, it therefore recommend that the fund should function according to the same or similar mode that is provided for under the minerals and Mining Act.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor