News
Passage Of PIGB Excites Rivers Stakeholders
The passage of the first lap of the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), last Thursday by the Senate has been described as an exciting development by some stakeholders who spoke on the issue, yesterday, in Port Harcourt.
Youth of oil-rich Niger Delta region said the passage has proved that the present Senate, unlike the previous ones, consider the interest of Nigerians.
Speaking under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC), the youth said, “though the action of the Upper Chambers has been long awaited”, but added that this will speed up chains of positive actions by players in the petroleum industry.
National Co-ordinator, NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, commended the Dr Bukola Saraki-led Senate for its action, and appealed to the House of Representatives to compliment the Senate by also passing the bill, just as he urged the National Assembly to speed up the passage of the next aspects of the bill.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Foundation for the Conservation of the Earth (FOCONE), Patrick Chiekwe, said the passage of the bill would give legal impetus to issues of environmental degradation caused by oil spill.
Chiekwe lauded the Senate, and noted that the delay in the passage of the bill had negatively affected the socio-economic life of the people in oil producing communities.
The executive director said oil producing communities which had suffered so much as a result of pollution and marginalization in the petroleum sector were eager to see the passage of other aspects of the bill, particularly the lap that would address the issue of 10 per cent equity share for oil producing communities.
Speaking in similar manner, a public affairs analyst, Mr. Bon Obilor said, “at least, we can see some positive changes. We can see progress and signs that those in the National Assembly are feeling the pulse of the people”.
He said the delay in the passage of the bill has held back so much investments, which investors had moved to other African nations.
“Petroleum is the life-wire of the nation; so, one had expected that such a legal framework would have been treated as a mark of urgency and priority. But unfortunately, it had to be delayed for over a decade because of misguided interest”, he said, and commended the Bukola-led Senate for making a change.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), was finally passed last Thursday, during plenary by the Senate, 12 years after its introduction as the ‘Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
The passage followed the final consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate’s Joint Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, Downstream and Gas
The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) in the Eight Senate, to establish a legal framework for the creation of a more efficient, transparent, competitive and internationalized petroleum industry.
The PIGB also seeks to create a conducive business environment for the operations of the petroleum industry and overhaul the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The passage of the bill remains a landmark achievement of the Eight Senate as the lawmakers broke the jinx that many believed had beset the National Assembly’s efforts to reform the oil industry.
The bill has been a very controversial one with allegations of the resolve of some stakeholders who felt the bill, when signed into law, will negatively affect their corrupt businesses, fighting headlong against its passage.
The Seventh Senate under the leadership of Senator David Mark, almost recorded successful passage of the bill, but controversies over multiple or different versions of the bill marred the progress and scuttled ascent of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to the bill.
According to industry analysts, Nigeria has, over the past eight years, lost over $120 billion in withheld or diverted investment due to the inability to pass the PIGB.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, congratulated the senators for resisting all forces that worked against the bill for years, and finally passed it.
His words: “Senate’s action today culminates some 12 long years of legislative attempts to reform the petroleum sector. Now, we are a step closer to bringing better governance and transparency to Nigeria’s most important economic sector.
“Now, there is no question that the political will exists to reform the petroleum industry. The passage of the PIGB will go a long way to restore investor confidence in a sector that has great potential to be more efficient and competitive on the world petroleum market,” he said.
Saraki noted that when the PIGB is finally enforced, Nigerians would enjoy more impact of the oil resources.
“The importance and impact of this bill can never be overstated. Nigerians are ever closer to reaping the full benefits of our nation’s natural wealth.
“This means there will be greater revenue for government to invest in economic diversification, job creation, hospitals, schools and roads,” he said
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives recently completed the second reading of the PIGB, with its leadership indicating their intent to move the bill through the legislative process as efficiently as they can.
Chris Oluoh & Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
