NASS: PIB Bill May Not Be Passed, Says Uduaghan

Ex-Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, today said the Petroleum Industry Bill may not be passed by the National Assembly.

Dr. Uduaghan made the assertion when he paid a courtesy visit to the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM. Ogiame Ikenwoli at his palace.

Dr. Uduaghan who was flanked by Prophet Jones Erue, Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, noted that the PIB has been lying fallow at the National Assembly for the past twelve years as long as he could remember.

Dr. Uduaghan who is an aspirant for the Delta South Senatorial seat said further that  the reason he said this is because revenues that accrue to non-oil bearing communities from other states will be reduced while, “more money will be coming to the Niger Delta.”

Dr. Uduaghan envisaged a situation where community ownership must be guaranteed in the Niger Delta region.

Dr. Uduaghan also said the security architetures in the Niger Delta should be given utmost priority while contracts must be community based.

While pointing out that there are a lot of damages being done in the Niger Delta, Dr. Uduaghan said that laws that regulate the environment should be put in place.

According to him, he was at the palace to inform the monarch of his Senatorial ambition.

He promised to adequately follow up the demands of the Itsekiris, as well as that of the Ijaws and Isoko which are before the Presidency when he becomes the Senator representing the people of Delta South Senatorial District.

He noted that the monarch needed somebody that will follow up his demands for him.

Dr. Uduaghan said, “I cannot follow up your demands if I am not there because we are not in partisan politics.

“I know other ethnic groups like Isokos and Ijaws also went to the Presidency with their demands.

“Any other ethnic group that wants to use me, I will follow up their demands.

“I will stand on behalf of these people in Abuja because Delta cannot continue to be an opposition State.

“Three years after, we are still in opposition. If we don’t move, we will remain in opposition.”

Dr. Uduaghan continued: “Ogiame, I am saying it with all confidence, I have looked at the terrain, I have knelt down before God where there is fairness and justice.”

Dr. Uduaghan argued that the Isokos and Ijaws have enjoyed the Delta South Senatorial Seat based on a rotational formula in the area between the three ethnic groups.

He said: “It is the turn of the Itsekiris. I know you have many sons. You will bless all of us equally. As you pronounce the blessing, I will catch more of the blessings than any aspirant.”

Dr. Uduaghan said he is going to the Senate to make a difference unlike other former governors who have nothing to show for the long time they’ve been in the red chambers.

Dr. Uduaghan further noted that the Senate is all about lawmaking, experience and legislating.

In his remarks, the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli insisted that it is the turn of Itsekiri people to lead Delta South Senatorial District just as he enjoined the Isokos and Ijaws to unite and support the Itsekiri nation.