by Lauren Emenike
Celestine Akpobari, a civil rights activist has expressed dissatisfaction over the signing into law of the petroleum industrial bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that assent of the bill was hasty considering that people from the oil-bearing communities are still agitating that the 3% be increased to a favourable percentage.
While speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Akpobari said that the president, who is self-isolating after his return from London is not supposed to expose himself to social obligations nor sign any document till after his isolation as he noted that the oil communities are cheated by his approval of the bill.
On his part, the Executive Director, Centre for Ijaw National Economic and Business Development, Bristol Alagbariya Emmanuel who also spoke to newsmen said the process of passing the PIB lacked transparency which would have accommodated the aspirations of the Niger delta people and enthrone a wave of lasting peace in the region.
Consequently, he called on the government to build a strategic structure that will accommodate the people of the Niger delta.
Meanwhile, Dr Tunusa Tanko, the National chairman and 2019 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) applauded the federal government for the PIA which he said will help eradicate some challenges that most oil and gas host communities are facing.
