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.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.
Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.
He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.
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