PIB: Senator Akpabio reveals 'best' percentage for host communities

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs stated that "no matter the percentage approved, we will accept it, whether 3, 4 or even 5 per cent".

"If they [host communities] use it well, we can go back to demand an increase," said the former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Monday.

Earlier, Southern Governors rejected the proposed 3% for host communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The PIB seeks to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the oil and gas industry.
Godswill Akpabio
In February this year during a public hearing on the PIB, leaders of oil-producing communities had clamoured for a 10 per cent allocation, which was later cut by half by the House of Representatives on 1 July before it was passed into law.

This was after previous attempts by lawmakers in past legislative Assemblies met roadblocks.

After its passage on Thursday, Senator Basey Albert, who co-chairs the Senate Joint Committee on the PIB, said a conference committee of both the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet to harmonise the differences in the bill after which a clean copy will be sent to the President for assent.

On Monday, Senator Akpabio had a town hall meeting in Abuja. It centred on the Destruction of Oil Pipelines and Gas infrastructure, organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture at the NAF Conference Centre.

His new spokesman Jackson Udom, quoted the Minister as saying: "Let me appeal to my former colleagues in the National Assembly to pass the PIB Bill into law so that the people of the region will begin to have a new lease of life.

"Let them not allow the argument on the percentage delay the passage of the bill. Whatever you agree on, we will accept. At least, let us start from somewhere.

"It is not the percentage that matters. The bill has been there for over 20 years. I am speaking for the Niger Delta people. Let them not use the issue of percentage to delay the passage.

"I want the people of the Niger Delta Region to begin to see what has not happened before in their life. These are people whose ecosystem and means of livelihood have been destroyed. The people have suffered enough. If they pass the bill, it will change the economic life of the people, their lifestyle will also change, their living standards will also improve. If the bill is passed this week, I will be very happy."