HOSCOM, PANDEF, INC, PDP Protest PIB Act

Niger Delta groups, including the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCOM) and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), yesterday, kicked against the signing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
They described the presidential assent as “insensitive,” “abominable”, “unfortunate”, “unbelievable”, “repugnant” and a clear case of the arrogance/contempt with which issues affecting the Niger Delta are treated by the Buhari administration.
The other groups that kicked against the new oil industry law are the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Ikwerre People Congress (IPC) Worldwide, Itsekiri Liberation Group (ILG), Forum for Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (FENND) and the Coalition of Rivers Oil and Gas Host Communities (CROGHCOM).
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on the same page with the Niger Delta groups.
It described the Act as repugnant and anti-people.
The National Assembly passed the PIB in July, 2021 with some contentious provisions, such as three per cent provision for the development of oil-bearing communities and 30 per cent of NNPC profit for Frontier Oil Exploration Fund.
Despite the protests, Buhari, who had earlier promised to assent to the bill once it is sent to him, made good his promise, yesterday.
Special Adviser to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who announced the presidential assent via a statement, added that the ceremonial part of the new legislation would hold tomorrow.
Part of the statement reads, “Working from home in five days of quarantine as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 after returning from London on Friday, August 13, the president assented to the Bill on Monday, August 16, in his determination to fulfil his Constitutional duty.
“The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday, after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.”