Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, when passed and diligently implemented will solve majority of the developmental and environmental challenges facing oil producing communities in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, the governor said the oil producing communities have suffered untold hardship, which must be addressed holistically.
Wike also urged the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on PIB to ensure that it tackles critical issues on the bill comprehensively to avoid further crisis after passage.
He said: “Our people have suffered so much. When people do not understand what we experience, they criticise needlessly. I don’t think you will take our challenges lightly. I think this bill will cure a lot of environmental challenges in the Niger Delta. I urge this committee to put into consideration our terrain as you conclude on this bill. With the experience of the chairman of this committee, I believe the committee will do an excellent job.”
The governor noted that the Niger Delta environment is highly polluted because of oil and gas operations in the area, pointing out that the Federal Government must invest in the resolution of these issues.
On his part, Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, Alhassan Doguwa, said that to avoid the mistakes of the past, the House is working in synergy with the Senate to ensure early passage of the bill, adding that the bill has been segmented into components for easier administration and passage.
The federal lawmaker said that the Senate has passed the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, while it has undergone the first and second readings at the House of Representatives awaiting passage.
