PIB: will address Niger Delta’s social and economic hardship

By Frank Pukon

TRACKING___ The national secretary of Ijaw Youth Council IYC Worldwide Comrade Frank Pukon has asked Buhari presidency to restore permanent peace in the Niger Delta region, is to address environmental degradation, in the Niger Delta to enhance social and economic prosperity.

The Petroleum Industry Bill, nonetheless, is another pertinent legislative piece that will address the region’s social and economic adversities and proffer lasting peace to the region.

Put simply, it is about genuine policy formulation, that will harmonize Niger Deltans and facilitate the region’s economic growth.

That is why in different forums, I have advocated for the Petroleum Industry Bill to be enacted because it will no doubt address many of the economic woes bedeviling the Niger Delta.

It was 2008, (12 years ago) the Petroleum Industry Bill began its journey under the regime of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

This bill, which seeks to establish a legal and regulatory framework for institutions, authorities, stakeholders, and host communities by establishing guidelines for national development.

However, the debate on the PIB is long overstretched and should have been concluded by now, the continuing non- passage of the bill has seen Nigeria incur losses from regulatory uncertainty in the oil and gas sector where host communities have become marginalized and are not given the fair share.

So, I want to use this medium to once again call on the 9th National Assembly to pass the PIB, which will reposition the industry and engage host communities in the Niger Delta.

It is a sacred obligation for lawmakers to implement laws that will benefit the social and economic prosperity of its citizens.

This is the global practice for all parliaments worldwide and Nigeria apparently is not excluded.