TheCable

Ben Murray Bruce, a senator-elect and chairman of Silverbird group, has advised lawmakers to take appropriate action on the petroleum industry bill (PIB).

Bruce said denying assent to the PIB, which has provision for taking care of inhabitant of regions where oil is explored, amounts to injustice.

“I want to urge stakeholders to not only take action on the petroleum industry bill, but to take the appropriate action,” he said in a statement issued on Monday.

“We all know that the Niger Delta is one of the most under-privileged regions of Nigeria despite being the region from which Nigeria’s main foreign exchange earner, oil, is sourced.

“This long suffering region has developed other geo-political zones while remaining under developed.

“As such, we all should be very considerate with the PIB and be cautious when taking action so we do not set up a chain reaction that might have unintended consequences.

“The PIB made provision for the benefit of the whole nation of Nigeria and went ahead to make an extra provision for the people of the Niger Delta as ‘host communities’.

“This is in furtherance of natural justice and in keeping with global practice in America, Norway, Venezuela and other nations with indigenous populations within areas of oil exploration.”

He further said he was not making the observation because he hails from the region but in the interest of the unity of the country.

“Let no one think that I am saying this because of the Niger Delta. By personal choice and discipline, I act and think on the basis that I am first a Nigerian, before I am from the Niger,” he said.

“I am making this advocacy because of Nigeria. In the Niger Delta and beyond, I have acquired the reputation of a nationalist and there are others who are moderates.

“However, there are others who are not as mature in their perception and who may react to such moves in ways and manner that may not advance the economic interest of Nigeria.

“We should be very careful not to empower such people by taking action that would make people at the grassroots begin to listen to their ideologies.

“A prudent nation foresees situations that might cause friction and avoids such. I am appealing to Nigeria to be prudent and circumspect with the PIB as befits a nation that is the largest economy in Africa and her giant in the sun.”

Some lawmakers have consistently rejected the 10 percent petroleum host communities fund, a provision in the PIB meant to improve ‘host communities’ in line with international best practice.

In January, David Mark, president of the senate, promised that the 7th assembly would pass the bill, which has been before it since 2008, before the expiration of their legislative tenure.

“We are conscious of the concerns of various stakeholders. It has taken long but we should do all we can to pass it,” he had said.

“When passed, the PIB will have profound impact on the future direction of our economy and will be one of the legacies of this assembly. Although we have a critical and congested legislative timetable ahead, we must be thorough in our work.”