North Kicks against Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Thinks it Favours Niger Delta States

nassEmerging information from the National Assembly has revealed that opposition to the passage of the newly introduced Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was revived in the Senate on Tuesday, as the lawmakers suspended the consideration of the bill, despite efforts by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba. Sources said the decision to jettison the debate was as a result of the underground moves by the North against the PIB.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, the North had mobilised against the bill through the Northern Senators’ Forum, adding that the report of an independent consultant engaged by the region to scrutinise the bill returned a negative verdict.

It was learnt that the consultants asked by the Northern establishment to X-ray the bill reported that its passage in its current form could lead to the federation pumping more resources to the Niger Delta, adding that it could lead to a 10 per cent increase in the resources of the region aside the 13 per cent derivation being enjoyed by oil producing states.

The report asked the Northern Governors Forum to scrutinise the bill, since it was sent to the National Assembly without the input of the federating units. The report indicated that the Niger Delta would add other allocations to the existing 13 per cent derivation fund, coupled with funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the amnesty programme.

According to the report, the North was also angry that the PIB did not prioritise gas supply to the North, as it was also uncomfortable that revenue accruing to four states, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers is bigger than that of the 19 states of the North put together. The region also criticised what it called apparent divestment moves through the establishment of a National Oil Company and National Gas Company.