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NASS Passes Two Versions Of PIB, As Stakeholders React

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There was uproar in the Senate, yesterday, during the consideration of the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream; Upstream and Gas Resources on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Despite that, the Senate, passed the controversial PIB after a very heated argument, debate, and plea on the percentage for the host communities, just as the lawmakers approved three percent (three per cent) of the actual annual operating expenditure of the preceding financial year in the upstream petroleum operations affecting the host communities for funding of the Host Communities Trust Fund.
It said that this will ensure adequate development of the host communities and reduction in the cost of production.
The three per cent approved was short by two per cent as against the five per cent recommended by the committee.
The report read, “This chapter highlights the effective and efficient administration of the Host Community Trust Fund which is to be anchored by the settlor, that is the oil and gas companies operating in the host communities.
“The various recommended provisions when passed into law will ensure a peaceful operating environment that will have a positive direct impact on the cost of oil and gas production which has been the bane of the Nigerian oil and gas industry,
“After extensive engagements with various stakeholders and on-the-spot assessment visits to host communities across the country, the Joint Committee recommended strengthening measures and saddled the host communities with responsibilities with a view to reducing or completely eradicating interferences and tampering in the country’s oil and gas production assets.


“Furthermore, to ensure adequate development of the host communities and reduction in the cost of production, the Joint Committee recommends five per cent (5%) of the actual annual operating expenditure of the preceding financial year in the upstream petroleum operations affecting the host communities for funding of the Host Communities Trust Fund.
“A total of 20 amendments were recommended to this Chapter while others were retained”.
Meanwhile, Senators had a closed door meeting with the Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, who briefed the lawmakers for over one hour on the technical and financial details of the Bill before the consideration of the report.
Also, the House and the Senate, yesterday, passed a different version of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
While the lower chamber did not debate the bill, the members of the upper chamber had extensive debate on it.
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Ahmed Wase did not allow any debate or call for an amendment, however, the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Mohammed Monguno moved a motion for the host community fund to be amended from the 2.5 per cent presented, to 5 per cent.
The amendment was adopted, however, the Senate passed at 3 per cent.
Speaking on the bill, Monguno who briefed journalists said Rep members will ensure that their 5 per cent is adopted against the 3 per cent by the senate.
He noted that the House has gotten the mandate to push for the 5 per cent.
He, however, said the Joint Committee of the National Assembly will have to decide on how to proceed.
The bill also makes provision for 30 per cent of oil profits to be invested into the frontier funds for the exploration of oil in the North and other frontier basins.
“The House has a mandate; the committee must jealously guard this mandate. Although there would be some give and take, the House will guard it jealously”, Munguno said.
“30% of the oil profit will be used for frontier explorations. The money will be in escrow account, if not used, it will be returned to the treasury. We only have 20 years window to maximise oil,” Monguno said.
The House version is yet to pass for Second Reading.
The joint committee is expected to concur to the two versions.
Commenting on the development, lead promoter, EnergyHub Nigeria, Dr Felix Amieyeofori, said, “This is a welcome development for the oil and gas industry, and the country at large as it will provide the long-expected business and investment environment for operators, and other stakeholders.
“This is coming at the time when oil and gas-dependent economies are grappling with the reality of the energy transition to cleaner renewable energy sources, targeted at tackling the global climate problems.
“While oil will still play a significant role in the global energy mix beyond 2050, the ‘Proverbial Net Zero Date’, Nigeria must ensure that we utilize the opportunities created by this law to fully harness the total hydrocarbon value chain in order to generate the capital that will propel our transition into the renewable world.
“I would, therefore, advise that government and all the stakeholders work toward ensuring the immediate implementation of the critical and pivotal clauses without the traditional politicking. The 2014 National Conference is still very fresh, as Nigerians are known for putting together very pragmatic policies and laws, but, we have always failed to walk the talk, and that has been the albatross of our development as a nation.”
He added: “I will say a Big Congratulations to the 9th National Assembly and Buhari-led Executive arm for taking the bull by the horns. I also want to congratulate the industry stakeholders for their sweats and strains for ensuring this historic event in the country.”
Similarly, a Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, said, “The PIB is dead on arrival, apparently because it is belated.
“This administration could have passed the PIB much earlier, but it wasted time trying to break it down into segments, including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) before returning to the original plan of passing it as a single document.
“Consequently, the oil and gas industry and the entire nation’s economy have suffered. Many investments and companies had over the years gone to other nations in Africa, especially Angola, Ghana, and even the emerging East African countries.”
He added, “There was a time Nigeria used to deploy over 20 rigs, exploring for oil, but we currently use only about six or seven rigs.”
In a recent interview, the Executive Director, Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, who criticized previous administrations for their inability to pass the PIB, had attributed it mainly to, “lack of political will and vested interests.”
Reacting, the Presidency described the passage of the complete version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which defied passage in previous assemblies over the last twenty years by the Senate as a jinx that has indeed been broken.
In a statement, yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, said that breaking the jinx with the passage was a testament that the Executive and the Legislature can really work together and truly engage each other, without compromising party position and individual perspective, in the most positive manner with a view to actualising the common goal and communal good for Nigerians.
Omoworare congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker, House Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill by the National Assembly.
The statement read, “The Senior Special Assistant to the President on NASS (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker, House Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill by the National Assembly.
“It should be noted that the efforts by the Executive and Legislature in Nigeria to put in place contemporary legislative and legal framework in the oil and gas sector has proved abortive since the year 2000; also, the non-amendment of the extant framework being the Petroleum Act of 1967, has affected inflow of Foreign Direct Investment as well as growth in Local Content.
“Breaking this jinx and achieving this feat is a testament that the Executive and the Legislature can really work together and truly engage each other, without compromising party position and individual perspective, in the most positive manner with a view to actualizing the common goal and communal good for Nigerians.
“I would like to thank the entire Leadership and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylvia, and the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kolo Kyari, for their focused and tenacious attitude to achieving this milestone.”
Also reacting, the National President, Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCON), Chief Benjamin Benjamin Tamanarebi said it was insulting for the Senate and House of Representatives to cede only three and five per cent equity shareholding, respectively to the oil and gas producing communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), passed.
Tamanarebi said that the PIB passed by NASS was a fruitless exercise and unacceptable to the host communities.
“Imagine for over 63 years of neglect, deprivation and marginalization of the aborigines who have suffered untold hardship in the midst of wealth, for the first time after many years of agitation, asking for only 10 per cent equity shareholding and the leadership of NASS is considering five per cent and three per cent viewing it that they have done us a favour.
“This is unacceptable and we reject the offer.
“It is our sole right as the aborigines, it is our land, and it is our waterways, as Nigeria claiming it because we are from Nigeria state. Then, why denying our rights to benefit, right to have clean environment, right to have potable water to drink, good hospital, electricity, good roads but leaving us in abject poverty, in a desecrated environment without considering the UNFCCC/ CDM criteria.
“We will still study other areas in the Bill to address it in due course, for example, Section 104 (2) on gas flaring where funds on penalty should be paid to the government, we reserve to study all sections, but is a fruitless exercise as usual,” he said.

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TUC Opposes FG’s Proposed Toll Gate On Federal Roads, Rejects Electricity Tariff Hike 

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC), yesterday, opposed the plans by the Federal Government to toll selected federal roads in the country, as a means of revenue generation.

The TUC also kicked against any attempt to increase telecom tariff, saying it will compound the present economic hardship Nigerians are going through.

President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, while presiding over the 1st Quarter 2025 National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Union in Abuja, yesterday, condemned the proposed reintroduction of toll gates on some federal highways without first of all ensuring that the roads are in good condition.

Osifo, who blamed the hardship in the country as a result of the government policies like the flotation of the naira, wondered why the Federal Government should initiate policies bothering on the citizens without due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

He said its is annoying that most of the roads which are unpaved, dilapidated, and riddled with potholes should be open for collecting tolls.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting partly read: “NAC deliberated on the proposed introduction of toll gates on selected federal roads and strongly condemned it in its entirely. While we acknowledge that tolling is a globally recognized method of generating revenue for road maintenance, it is unacceptable to impose tolls on roads that are unpaved, dilapidated, and riddled with potholes.

“The NAC views this as an insult to Nigerians, who are being asked to pay tolls on roads that are in total disrepair. Our highways are death traps unsafe, abandoned, and filled with potholes. Rather than fulfilling its responsibility to fix and maintain these roads, the government is resorting to shameless extortion.

“The Congress, therefore, demands that all roads earmarked for tolling must first be fixed, properly tarred, and repaired to international standards before any discussion on tolling can be entertained”.

Although the Federal Government recently debunked plans to increase electricity tariff by 65 percent, TUC said it was  alarming that the government even considered the hike in the first instance.

Osifo lamented that the previous increment already inflicted severe hardship on citizens.

He said, “This proposed increase is not only ill-timed but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians, who are already struggling under unbearable economic conditions.

“The improved service quality promised during the last tariff hike, particularly for consumers under the so-called “Band A” category, has not been realized. Most consumers, regardless of their tariff band, continue to live in perpetual darkness”.

TUC observed that the root cause of escalating prices and galloping inflation was the devaluation of the Naira.

Going down memory lane, Osifo said in February 2024, the TUC addressed a world press conference, where it clearly stated that the excessive devaluation of the naira was the primary cause of rising inflation and the continuous increase in the prices of goods and services.

He said Congress also warned that this trend would worsen inflation in 2024, impacting virtually every sector of the economy and severely affecting the social and economic well-being of Nigerian workers and the masses if the solutions it canvassed were not adopted.

The TUC President said 12 months later, the Congress position remained unchanged, alleging that the symptoms of the root cause have manifested clearly.

According to him: “These include the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, the escalating costs of social services, the proposed hike in telecom tariffs, the increase in electricity tariffs (with plans for further increments), the rising prices of petroleum products amongst others.

“The TUC remains focused on addressing the root cause of these economic challenges rather than merely reacting to the manifested symptoms. To this end, the TUC demands a better foreign exchange (FX) management regime from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the naira is currently undervalued, as confirmed by both local and international experts.”

He warned that if the policies were not reviewed to favour the citizens, the TUC may be compelled to mobilise for mass protest.

“The NAC, on behalf of the Congress, strongly advises the government to refrain from introducing policies that would further exacerbate the current economic hardship faced by hardworking Nigerians.

“If the administration insists on implementing these policies, the TUC will have no choice but to mobilize the working class, civil society, and the oppressed masses for a nationwide action. This level of exploitation is unacceptable. A stitch in time saves nine,” he warned.

 

 

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Africa Must Stop Depending On Foreign Blueprints -Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has charged African leaders to stop clinging to their old habit of depending on foreign plans, saying the continent is in dire need of leaders who wield policy as a surgical blade instead of a slogan.

Tinubu lamented what he described as “the tragedy of our time” whereby African leaders do not only confine themselves to foreign blueprints but refused to emancipate themselves from client-state mentalities and governance by hashtag activism.

The President made these remarks in Abuja, yesterday, during the Dr. Kayode Fayemi commemorative symposium and launch of the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, with the theme “Renewing the Pan-African Ideal for the Changing Times: The Policy and Leadership Challenges and Opportunities.”

The symposium was organised to commemorate the 60th birthday of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Represented at the event by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, the President said, “Whatever our differences across the continent, one fact that can’t be eroded by our infighting is that we are in the age of machines, and we can’t fight our development dilemma with spears and arrows while the rest of the world is fighting the same battle with missiles and tanks. The world is not waiting for Africa to catch up.

“While we parse political rivalries, others parse datasets. While we litigate history, others engineer futures. The train of progress accelerates, yet too many of our leaders cling to old carriages. These are our client-state mentalities, our dependency on foreign blueprints, and our governance by hashtag activism. This is the tragedy of our time.

“The founding of Amandla Institute emerges as an antidote to this paralysis. We are here not only to generate more ideas but to create executors. We need leaders who wield policy as a scalpel, not a slogan. We need visionaries who see AI as a collaborator, not a competitor. We need a generation of Africans who recognise that Pan-Africanism, renewed for this age, must be rooted in actionable sovereignty.”

Tinubu pointed out that it would be wishful thinking to hope that the renaissance of Africa will happen as a gift, maintaining that it must be built.

He regretted that for too long, leaders in Africa have outsourced their thinking, relying on institutions and ideologies that treat countries on the continent “as consumers, not creators,” just as he insisted that the youth must be empowered to innovate in tech hubs across the continent.

“But the post-idea world dissolves excuses. With the democratisation of knowledge, we must empower our youth to innovate in tech hubs across the continent, from Cairo, down through Nairobi, to Lagos, building unicorns without the permission of any gatekeepers. What they lack is not ideas but ecosystems—systems where policy, funding, and political will converge to scale their genius,” he noted.

The Nigerian leader further urged African leaders to “evolve from custodians of power to architects of platforms,” adding that their “imagination of Africa must be one where every government ministry houses.

“AI strategists, where continental trade policies are drafted by homegrown think tanks like Amandla Institute, not foreign consultants, and where “Made in Africa” signifies not raw materials but algorithms, green tech, and cultural capital.”

 

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Fubara Flags Off Upgrading Of 135 Primary Healthcare Facilities In Rivers 

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The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare that is accessible to the Rivers people.

 Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the flag-off of the renovation and upgrading of 135 Primary Healthcare facilities in 135 Wards across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, last Friday.

 Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Governor Fubara said his administration was doing everything possible to ensure that healthcare delivery would be accessed even in the most remote communities, by facilitating this unprecedented State-wide renovation of Primary Healthcare Centres.

“This is to increase geographical access to quality basic healthcare services and reduce maternal Infant and child mortality and prevalence of non-communicable diseases and other preventable illnesses in Rivers State”, the Governor stressed.

The State Chief Executive expressed gratitude to World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance, through the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress, by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

 According to him “We collectively strive towards the reduction of maternal, infant and child mortality and tackling Non-Communicable Diseases, thereby accelerating economic growth and development in the State”.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, stated that it was fitting for the Governor to have delegated the Deputy Governor to represent him and flag-off the revitalization and re-equipping of 135 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.

 She extolled the Deputy Governor’s drive, passion, and commitment to steering the State’s Primary Healthcare Task Force, which had led to significant transformation.

 Dr. Oreh expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for his leadership and dedication, which had contributed to the transformation of the State’s healthcare system.

 Also speaking, the Chairman of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management   Board, Prof. Blessing Jaja, said that the revitalization of the Healthcare Centres would lead to a significant modernization of the facilities, ultimately improving the overall Healthcare system of the State.

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