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PANDEF slams Buhari for assenting to PIB

Abuja—The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) 2021, without making amendment to certain controversial sections of the bill.

The group, led by Chief Edwin Clerk, had insisted that the 3% equity shares allocated to the host communities in the bill be changed to 10%.

They lamented that despite the public outcry from the south south the president still went ahead to sign the PIB into law.

PANDEF’s spokesman, Ken Robinson, in a chat with newsmen, moments after the president assented to the bill, stated that the president showed a total disregard to the people of the Niger Delta by signing the Act into law.

According to him, the country has neglected the region to suffer amongst other things, environmental degradation as a result of activities of oil companies, without compensation.

“It is very unfortunate that in spite of the outcry and condemnation that greeted the paltry 3% provided for the development of host communities and the outrageous 30% of the NNPC profit allocated for the exploration of oil in the frontiers, Mr. President has gone ahead to endorse the bill into law.

“It is a reality that this country does not care about the feelings and hopes and aspirations of the Niger Delta people.

“We continue to suffer the neglect and degradation and the decimation of our environment and our ecosystem.

“The livelihood of our children has been devastated and we suffer the consequences of this industry operating in our environment

“The government and its agencies lack sensitivity in enforcing the laws to protect the environment from the operations of the industry.

“It is very sad, it is a bad day for the Niger Delta people,” he lamented.

He further revealed that groups in the Niger Delta would meet in the coming days and come up with a decision.

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