The contentious Petroleum Industry Bill on Wednesday opened up a can of worms as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Ita Enang said that 83 per cent of oil blocks in the country are owned by Northerners.
“There should be equity and federal character in the allocation of oil blocks in this country. Eighty-three per cent of all present oil blocks are held by northerners,” Enang said on the floor of the Senate, without a dissenting voice from any of the senior lawmakers.
Enang, Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District, then went ahead to buttress his allegation by giving a breakdown of major oil blocks vis-à-vis their owners.
For instance, Enang stated that Cavendish Petroleum, the operators of OML 110, awarded to Alhaji Mai Deribe of Borno State (North East), makes an average of about N4bn monthly. He thereafter demanded a review of oil block licences in the country even as other senators from the South urged him on.
“These need to be looked into, revoked and re-awarded. The Federal Character which is a principle applicable in every aspect of our national existence should also be brought to bear in the application of our oil blocks, marginal fields and prospecting licences.”
Enang’s disclosures came amid a consensus among the lawmakers on the need to let the bill sail through second reading, while further legislative work would take care of the contentious issues.
Meanwhile, debate on the general principles of the bill would be concluded on Thursday (today).
This is a step in the right direction. May God give the genuine south-south legislators wisdom and courage to fight the undue marginalisation the south-south people are facing in the hands of corrupt men.
Inspite of 83% ownership of Oil blocks in the country,the north is the most backward, most impoverished,most diseased,has the highest concentratio of destitutes etc The Northern elites should bury their heads in shame.No wonder they are always interested in power at the centre.For meaningful develop-ment,Nigeria must go back to regionalism.
Sen Ita Enang you’re a man I’ve always admire your views since your house of reps days,pls carry on & don’t let those thieves continue with the stealing of our oil.pls convince you’re colleagues & let’s collect back all the oil blocks from those thieves including armed robber sanusi lamido’s own & give it to the true ownwers.God bless you.
I just hope that the issue will be addressed to the last letter and not just thrown into the gabbage like all the other ones.