Youth leaders in the Niger Delta have condemned the three per cent allocated for oil-bearing and pipeline-bearing host communities in the passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), describing it as capable of undermining the excruciating consequences of oil exploration activities and engendering fresh avoidable crisis in the region.
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Dr Philips Okolo, former secretary and factional president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare and Alaowei Cleric, Esq., National President/Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), separately gave the warning while speaking with our correspondent in Warri, Delta State on Sunday.
Dr Okolo, disparaging the low allocation, said: “from all indications, the passage of the long awaited PIB into law by the National Assembly with some obnoxious provisions has generated undue controversy and heated up the polity.
“A cursory look at the Bill shows that it embodies some far-reaching implications. Firstly, the deliberate attempt to pervert the generally accepted definition of host communities and redefined it to mean hostcom which includes communities where pipelines also pass through is intentionally ill-concieved to cause another avalanche of crisis in the Niger Delta region. In short, it has reduced the whole essence of the law to a subterfuge.
“The exclusion of oil producing communities in the 30% set aside for Seismic activities in the Frontier Basin Trust Fund, as provided in the Act passed by NASS is not only controversial but also undermines the excruciating consequences of oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta.
“It is sad to note that a whole thirty percent (30%) has been set aside for seismic activities in frontier basing, while a paltry, negligible and insignificant percentage (3%)is devoted for the development of oil bearing communities in Niger Delta Region.
“Oil exploration has caused environmental degradation and eco- terrorism in the Niger Delta and, therefore, should elicit due attention; the law underplays this critical and very pivotal aspect of the oil industry.
“It is in this context that it becomes crystal clear and demonstrates the intention of the Nigerian State to perpetually exploit and dominate the people of the Niger Delta/oil bearing communities through repressive laws that do not consider the whims and caprices of the people as the law can be succinctly described with the metaphor of an old wine in a new bottle; a mere change of nomenclature.”
On his part, former IYC scribe, Omare, itemised the implications of the development for Niger Delta region and by extension Nigeria, saying it is “against the expectation of a peaceful operational environment,” and could engender “continuous and persistent crisis and agitations in the region.”
“And that in my view defeats the whole essence of the PIB which was supposed to give a sense of belonging to the oil producing communities. So, the NASS, by its action, has just missed a golden opportunity to stabilise the Niger Delta region,” he averred.
Warning that the National Assembly is “playing with fire,” Cleric Esq, described the meagre allocation as “very unfortunate,” accusing the Senate of pursuing a clannish agenda.
“Three per cent host community funds is unacceptable to the Niger Delta people. I heard some lawmakers from the northern part are celebrating that they have succeeded in protecting the interest of the North by voting for 3% host community funds.
“People only considered their ethno-religious interest in deference to national unity. The National Assembly is playing with fire.
“The Senate felt that those who are suffering from the exploratory activities of the oil companies should not enjoy remediation. Should I need prophet to tell us that insecurity is rife in the oil sector?
“Well, the leaders of the region have said they cannot guarantee peace in the Niger Delta over the National Assembly’s refusal to give 10% to the host communities.
“The National Assembly should be cautious not to instigate an avoidable oil crisis in the country,” he warned.
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