New PIB’II Address Agitations-Rep

A federal lawmaker, has said that  the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently submitted to the National Assembly  by the Presidency will address the issue of land seizure by oil companies in the Niger Delta.

The member representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada West in the House of Representatives, Honourable Asita who said this during a public forum on the review of the 1999 Constitution  at  Omoku, said that the present administration was disposed to improving the quality of compensation for oil producing communities in the region.

He said that the National Assembly deemed it necessary to organise the forum throughout the country, to enable Nigerians contribute in the process of making and amending the constitution.

According to him, the era when people sit in Abuja to make laws for the country had gone, stressing that, the people of the Niger Delta must utilize the opportunity to contribute on how they want the country to be governed.

Also speaking, the immediate past Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice F.N. Ichoku (rtd.) warned against politicising the amendment of the constitution.

Hon. Justice Ichoku (rtd.) who chaired the session, said that the forum reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Nigeria to have a people- oriented Constitution for the country.

The forum which was attended by various stakeholders demanded seven states each for the six geopolitical zones, and recognition of the six geopolitical zones in the constitution, while financial autonomy should be granted to local Government councils in the country and the various states Houses of Assembly.

The forum however, rejected the granting of constitutional role to traditional rulers. The idea of citizenship for non indigenes who resided in an area for a long time was also rejected.