Mkpoikana Udoma 06 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Ijaw Youth Council World Wide, IYC, has commended the House of Representatives for its decision to pursue a holistic passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, which will include the Host community Fund Act and the Fiscal Regime.Recall that the House of Representatives, recently said it was opposed to the passage of the PIGB because it did not address the concerns of host communities which according to the House was its biggest concern.
Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Mr. Victor Nwokolo, had said the House would pass a more holistic PIB that will encompass interests of host communities and fiscal regulation of the oil industry.
However, the Eric Omare-led IYC has warned that the definition of host communities must be restricted only to the actual oil and gas producing communities of the Niger Delta and not the entire communities in Nigeria.
A statement by the spokesperson of IYC, Barr. Henry Iyalla, expressed its support for the passage of the complete PIB and urged members of the House of Representatives not to yield into any pressure with its stance.
Iyalla in the statement further said only the complete PIB will guarantee a smooth operation of all oil multinational companies in the Niger Delta Region.
“While we commend the House of Representatives for moving to ensure that the PIB is passed in its entirety. We wish to state that the definition of host communities must be restricted to the actual oil and gas producing communities of the Niger Delta region and not like the 6th National Assembly that sought to extend the definition of Host Communities to the entirety of Nigeria.
“We view this apt response by the House of Representative on the PIB as a step in the right direction, especially at a time when it is most expedient for the people of the Niger Delta Region to see good and selfless leadership at the Federal level.
“We wish to state unequivocally our support for the passage of the complete PIB and hope the House members follow through with this stand irrespective of pressure from any quarters as the passage of the complete PIB will guarantee participation of Host communities in the management and control of her resources; thereby ensuring a smooth operation of all International Oil Companies in the Niger Delta Region,” the statement said.
