TEMPERS rose on the floor of the Senate, on Tuesday, as the upper legislative body opened debate for second reading of the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Many of the senators, notably from the northern zone, kicked against the clause introducing three per cent community fund in the Bill.
The PIB, an executive bill sent by President Goodluck Jonathan, was first read on September 19, 2012 and the Senate Committee on Rules and Business immediately made a gazette for circulation to members.
At the commencement of the second reading, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the bill, when passed into law, would “fundamentally alter the legal, fiscal and proprietary dynamics and regime of our oil sector.”
However, tempo of the debate changed when, at the commencement of contributions, Senator Ahmed Lawan joined two others from the North to oppose the 10 per cent Host Community Development Fund.
Lawan kicked against the fund, claiming that over N11 trillion derivation and other funds released since 1999 were mismanaged and unaccounted for by different governments from the oil producing states.
According to him, in over 13 years, N7.3 trillion was spent as derivation fund; N2.7 trillion given to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in over 10 years; the Ministry of Ni ger Delta got N50 billion between 2007 and 2012; the amnesty programme got N250 billion from 2009 till date and another N72 billion was spent as special presidential initiative.
Lawan argued that the people from the oil producing states had not benefited from all the funds allocated to them.
Senators James Manager and Heineken Lokpobiri raised points of order in objection to Lawan’s references to editorials from national dailies in making his contributions, claiming it was a violation of the Senate rules.
Sensing a mounting tension, Senate President, David Mark, intervened to rule out both senators, adding that Lawan’s reference to newspapers did not contravene its rule.
Senator Ali Ndume also spoke against the host community fund and canvassed the introduction of host community equity partnership, which would give communities opportunity to operate.
Senator Alkali Jajere also kicked against the host community development fund, as he said the PIB gave more powers to the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
On the contentious host community fund, Senator Okowa said no state would be shortchanged, noting that the fund would be 10 per cent of the net profit of the oil companies.
Senator Bukola Saraki took a different turn when he said the oil industry was bedeviled by lack of transparency, adding that there was a need to review the PIB.
Mid-way into the debate, Mark suddenly took his leave from the plenary without and explanation as regards his destination.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who took over the leadership of the plenary, commended the attitude of the senators, saying disagreement over three issues out of 364 clauses showed that the lawmakers were working in the interest of the country.
He, thereafter, called on the Senate Leader on the next agenda of the day.
Ndoma-Egba, acting on Order 43 of the Senate, asked for a one-minute silence in honour of the late assistant political editor of the Guardian Newspaper, Mr John Abba-Ogbodo.
Abba-Ogbodo, it will be recalled, died on Thursday, in an auto crash on Anyingba Road, Kogi State, on his way to attend a public lecture to be delivered by the Ekweremadu at Nnamdi Azikwe University, Àkwa, Anambra State.
Further debate on the bill was, thereafter, adjourned till today.
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