As Nigeria draws closer to major reforms in it’s oil sector, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed optimism that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) when passed into law will protect the interest of oil producing communities and encourage growth in the Petroleum Industry.
Governor Ikpeazu stated this, Wednesday, when he received a delegation of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill led by the Chairman, Senate Committee On Petroleum Resources Upstream, Senator Albert Akpan at the Government House, Umuahia.
According to Governor Ikpeazu,oil bearing communities in Abia deserve to benefit from the PIB as they have maintained a track record of being the most peaceful communities, despite neglect by oil companies, operating in their communities, which enjoy a hostile free atmosphere adding that the Abia example should be emulated by other states.
The Governor regretting that despite producing oil, communities bearing oil do not have anything to show for it due to unfair treatment from multinational firms towards the people.
“Abia has a record of having the most peaceful Host Communities. We have no record of altercation between the host communities and oil companies.
“But it will shock you that despite the fact that oil companies operating in the state have received unfettered cooperation from host communities, you will not notice a sign board of one oil company anywhere. They don’t live here, they don’t pay taxes here.
“They come trucked in coaster vans led by heavily armed soldiers from Port Harcourt everyday and they leave after work by 4pm leaving the communities to their fate.
“If there is a state that is supposed to benefit from PIB, it is Abia”, Ikpeazu said.
The Governor however expressed belief that the visit by the Committee will serve as an avenue to engage the people and assuage their feelings.
“Through this visit the people will begin to see that there is a conscious effort to reach them and engage them. It will assuage frayed nerves and place them in a position to give government another chance to get it right.
“I am sure that under your watch, the law will protect the host communities, mainstream and encourage growth in the Petroleum Industry even as it affects major stakeholders”.
He called on relevant agencies to expedite actions in exploring the entire value chain of Crude Oil as well as ensure adequate social mobilization to educate and encourage host communities to address the trust deficit expressed by the host communities.
Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, Senator Albert Akpan said the essence of their visit is to give members of the Committee an opportunity to assess and reflect on the status of the host communities as well as the impact of oil exploration on the environment, among others.
While expressing confidence that the PIB will be passed into law as it is the only way to go, Senator Akpan however assured Nigerians and host communities that members of the National Assembly will not pass the bill until the interest of the people of is adequately protected.
“This is the first time that both the parliament, the executive and stakeholders have come to the consciousness that time has come when we must have a consensus, that consensus has been formed, found and recognized.
“We are very confident that this is not that bill that you used to know, that underscores the commitment of the members of the National Assembly. We are very confident that once passed, the bill will be assented by the President.
“We understand the complaint made by most states how come we produce oil and nothing substantial comes out from it. It is because of the cost of oil index and 35% of that cost of oil index can be attributed to the hostilities from host communities”.
He expressed belief that if such hostilities were properly addressed, the cost of oil will be reduced and more money will come into the federation account.
He said the main thrust of the PIB is to create a Trust Fund for host communities, adding that the bill places a responsibility on the host communities to ensure that oil assets within their vicinity is protected.
“Such an initiative will create a balance, ensure stability and war free environment so that we can begin to take a better advantage of our God given resources”, Senator Akpan concluded.
