Mkpoikana Udoma 11 September 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has thrown it weight behind the call in the National Assembly for the amendment of the Act establishing the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees And Assurances) Cap 87 LFN 2004.
The Ijaw youths said it supports in totality the amendment of the NLNG Act which would guarantee the financial contribution of the NLNG to the developmental agencies in the Niger Delta Region and ensures the payment of taxes and levies to boost the economy of the region.
A statement by the Spokesperson of IYC, Mr. Henry Iyallah, said the current Act was enacted by a regime aversed to the development of the Niger Delta Region, while an amended Act would require NLNG to comply with any Constitutional amendment in laws governing Oil and Gas operations in the Country.
Iyallah said NLNG must as a matter duty contribute to the growth and sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region.
The statement also called on members of the National Assembly to see to the immediate amendment, passage and the enforcement of the amended Act.
“The attention of the National Executives of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has been drawn to the call in the National Assembly for the amendment of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees And Assurances) Act Cap 87 LFN 2004.
“It is therefore pertinent that the Act be amended to compel the NLNG to pay 3percent of its total annual budget to the Niger Delta Development Commission and other developmental Agencies within the Niger Delta Region.
“We wish to state clearly that the NLNG which has so far been exempted from new laws, regulations, taxes, duties, imports or charges of whatever nature in its operations despite the huge profit and peaceful operating environment it has enjoyed from the host communities; must as a matter duty contribute to the growth and sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region.
“We call on all members of the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency look into, hasten, and pass the bill/s to amend the NLNG Act; as it will show this Assembly in good light, yield positive economic impact and bring sustainable development to the Region.”