By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South
OIL producing communities in Gbaramatu and Egbema Kingdoms, Delta State, have rejected the recommended governance model under the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, 2020 for host communities’ development where oil companies would become overlords over oil producing communities, warning it would generate unnecessary anxieties in Niger Delta.
It would be recalled that Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, had insisted that the government offering host communities 2.5 per cent operational costs in the new PIB, was a clear attempt to shortchange the host communities.
The communities under the Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, stated this in a memorandum to the Joint Committee on Petroleum Downstream Sector, Petroleum Upstream and Gas on PIB 2020 by its Chairman, Mr Jude Ukori.
The National President of the Host Community of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, Benjamin Tamaranebi, on Sunday insisted that the 2.5 per cent, proposed in the Petroleum Industry Bill, being supported by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was not acceptable.
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National President of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, High Chief Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for the fight between himself and Mike Emuh at the floor of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
Tamaranebi who made this apology at a press conference also apologised to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Silva for the fight that took place on Thursday at the public hearing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
He said the fight was orchestrated by those who want to ensure that the voice of the host communities was shut out of the processes leading to the passage of the bill in which the contribution of the host communities as critical stakeholders was important.
After over two decades in the works, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), arguably the piece of legislation with the most tortuous journey in the nationâs history, is again faced with what looks like new impediments. With all the parties, seemingly sticking to their old rigid positions during a two-day public hearing at the National Assembly during the week, itâs uncertain who will blink first or whether there will be a middle ground in the next few months. In this report, Emmanuel Addeh wonders if the bill, one that has been described as pivotal to the long-term overall survival of the oil and gas industry, will survive the turbulence this time or be finally confined to the dustbin of history