Chairman ongoing #TNGPIBConfab Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan on Wednesday urged the Nigerian government to take gas seriously, stressing that there is so much gas in the nation that can provoke an economic turnaround if well addressed in the in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
However, Uduaghan admitted there are challenges and issues surrounding which are hindering the gas gathering process.
He also advocated for 10% as host community fund as against the 2.5 per cent stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
“It is not just about the percentages given to the states, it is about the percentage that gets to the communities themselves, that is why we suggested trust fund, that s the formula we proposed. I want to emphasise the 10% derivations for host communities, 2.5% is too small.
The future of Nigeria is gas, there is so much gas but all the issues surrounding gas should be dealt with by the PIB, especially as regards gas flaring. These challenge is cost by costing challenges; how do we get the best of gas utilisation, we must allow exploration of gas directly;the gas plant in Ogidigben, Delta State that President Goodluck Jonathan pushed in his last stay in office has today been abandoned, others can be established across the Niger/Delta. As leaders of the N/Delta region we must get involved and encourage our lawmakers to pass the PIB bill, if it is done it will do more than economical good, it will also reduce crime in Nigeria as so many youhs will be empowered.
Also, speaking at the summit, former NDDC MD, Ibim Semenitari who also supported the call for 10% derivation funds for host communities, however, tasked TheNewsGuru to simplify the PIB bill for easy understanding amongst all stakeholder public.
She said: “We need to provide easy ways to breakdown the PIB for easy understanding, can we now have a PIB for idiots from a medium like TheNewsGuru as a media outfit advancing for the betterment of the Niger/Delta region and Nigeria at large.”
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