*…demands reversal or block IOCs from region 

*…declares Niger Delta has had enough of colonial oppression 

By Henry Umoru, ABUJA

FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, on Monday, described the newly-passed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, ready for harmonisation as satanic, unjust, embarrassing.

Clark, who is also the South-South and Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, leader, said that the passed PIB had dashed the hope of the people of the Niger Delta.

The elder statesman, who condemned the provision and allocation of 30% of profits for further frontier oil exploration in the North and that it was fraudulently declared that the region has had enough of the colonial oppression and will be resisting it.

Clark, who was represented at a press briefing in his Asokoro residence, Abuja, by PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, said that the PIB passed does not reflect the long clamour by the people of region for equity, fairness and justice.

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In the letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the South-South leader demanded that the bill, as passed, be reversed.

He said hence the Niger Delta will take their destinies in their hands and deny International Oil Companies (IOCs), entry into the region.

The two chambers of the National Assembly, last week Thursday, passed the PIB, after about 13 years of legislative fireworks.

The bill was first sent to the National Assembly in 2008 by President Umaru Yar’Adua, now deceased, without translating into an Act.

The PIB, 2020 seeks to introduce far-reaching reforms in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Details later…

Vanguard News Nigeria