Gov Lists Gains Of PIB

The passage of the Petro leum Industry Bill (PIB) into law would secure the future oil industry, Governor  Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has said.

The governor made the remarks when he met with the National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Asaba.

Uduaghan appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the bill, adding that the future of the oil industry depended on it.

“The future of the oil industry depended on the PIB, so we do hope that whatever is submitted will deal with all the issues in the oil industry.

“But for us as state governments we are very steadfast in improving the quality of lives in the oil communities and when the bill is made public, we will make our inputs.

“I want to assure you that the National Assembly will do justice to the bill in the interest of all,’’ he declared.

The governor also urged the unions to resist casualisation of workers in the oil industry, describing it as “wicked’’.

He stressed the need for their taxes to be remitted to the state government, saying that payment of tax was legitimate.

Uduaghan noted that the government had discovered that most companies after deducting taxes from workers do not remit these taxes to the relevant authority, pointing out that the local government chairmen had been directed to issue tax receipts to every worker who had paid his tax.

“The worker should insist on the companies remitting their taxes to the government after deduction,’’ he said, and assured them of their security in the state. He stated that government was making all arrangements to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

Earlier, PENGASSAN president, Balogun Ogun had lauded the governor for his development strides in the state such as the airport, schools and the new government house, among others.

He urged the governor to ensure that the PIB fostered development and attracted more investment to create employment for the people, in addition to providing security for the oil industry.

Ogun called for government support to address the issue of casualisation in the industry and other challenges of workers in the oil and gas industry.