From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
South South Governors on Tuesday, demanded an upward review of the provision for oil host community Trust in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who also doubles as the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum said this at the end of the Foum’s meeting in Port Harcourt.
He stated that the 2.5 per cent allocated to host communities in the PIB currently before the National Assembly was inadequate.
Okowa said the call for increase from 2.5 to 10 percent came after deliberations with the leaders of the oil producing states.
He noted that the 10 percent increase is in the interest of host communities and the nation.
His statement reads, “We are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that 2.5 per cent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate.
“We have discussed with our people and collectively as leaders of the people in our various states and as leaders standing in on behalf of our people, we urge the National Assembly to increase the provision in the host community fund from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
“This is in the best interest of our communities and the nation,’’ Okowa said.
“A peaceful environment in the various oil communities would enable us to have greater and seamless production, without any form of disruption going into the future.
“The Governors have also urged President Muhammadu Buhari that in the absence of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), funds for the commission, beyond the payment of salaries, should be put in an escrow account until he constitutes the board,’’ Okowa said.
“We do know that there is a forensic audit taking place and for that reason the board has not been constituted.
“Our advice is that monies being sent to the NDDC should be put in an escrow account, until a board is constituted and then proper processes are followed in the expenditure of the money for visible accounting,’’ he said.
“So, it means that the NDDC is being run in such a manner that it is not beneficial to our people, because there is no stakeholder input in the running of the affairs of the NDDC.
Governors at the meeting are- Gov. Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa-Ibom), who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo.
