The much-expected Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) may go the way of the previous ones if percentage of operational gains is not agreed upon between the federal government and host communities of oil and gas production.
While the federal government in its executive bill currently being considered by both Chambers of the National Assembly, proposes 2.5% share for the host communities (HOSTCOM), leaders from the various communities are insisting on 10% equity participation as shareholding.
Addressing journalists at the NUJ Secretariat in Abuja Sunday, national president of the group, High Chief Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, said the 2.5% proposed in the bill and being supported by the Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva, was not acceptable and cannot be acceptable, no matter the grammar or semantics they want to use in driving it.
“During the Public hearing on the bill at the Senate last week Monday and Tuesday, we made very clear presentation to this effect and also attempted doing so at House of Representatives on Thursday before one Mike Emuh sponsored by those against our position, assaulted me physically.
“As responsible people, we apologise on behalf of the entire oil and gas producing communities to President Muhamnadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly over the madness displayed by Mike Emuh who is an expelled member of HOSTCOM.
“But as far as the PIB is concerned , for it to see the light of the day in a way that it will guarantee safety for the operational companies in all the affected communities and give the communities themselves , equity participation and required sense of belonging, the 10% equity share must be honored.
“The Minister of State for Petroleum, should take his 2.5% operational cost (OPEX) to the Marine as people of the affected communities are not morons or beggars begging for peanuts or grants from anybody,” he said.
He added that the peace being enjoyed across the nine oil producing states was consequent upon the hope of fairness and equity they saw in PIB “which unfortunately want to be dashed with the Host Communities percentage offer.”
“The world is transiting from fossil oil ( Petroleum) to Gas , indicating a new world order requiring favourable working environment for all stakeholders which entire leaders of the host communities are ready to guarantee if the needful is done by Government as well .
“The people of the area are dying from cancerous emissions they take in without commensurate compensation in anyway .Not even a single cancer centre is established in any of the oil and gas producing communities,” they further lamented.