WEEKLY

WEEKLY NEWS
Vol. 3 No. 3. Mon. Feb. 20 - Sun. Feb. 26, 2017
Passage of PIB will Stem the
Tide of Restiveness ... Gov. Emmanuel
Uwem
G
Kerns
overnor Udom Emmanuel has
called on the members of the
national assembly to evolve an
economic framework that would
remould the country's resources and
engender sustainability in the nation's
development and democratic
governance.
The governor made the call at the
Executive Council Chamber,
Government House, Uyo, when he
interacted with members of the Senate
Joint Committee on the Petroleum
Industry Bill who paid a courtesy call on
him during their two-day retreat in the state.
In his words : "if the Presidency, National Assembly,
Federal House of Representatives, State Governors, State
Houses of Assemblies and Local Government Councils fail
to chart a course that would curb unemployment and
youth restiveness in the next few years, the country
would be touching the tiger's tail as joblessness triggers
violent crimes.”
He appealed to the law makers to close ranks and
work towards remoulding the nation's economic assets in
order to sustain the future generation, and particularly
frowned at the practice where political office holders
sacrifice the nation's development on the basis of
partisanship, and rather prefer to use the next election as
a bait for improvement on their performance in office.
"...the whole wave length is about the next election,
our policies are tilted towards the next election and if not
checked it will get to a point where the electorates will
get tired of casting votes; we can't run a country like
this", Governor Emmanuel stated.
He observed that a glean on the nation's Gross
Domestic Product from 1970 to date, could trigger
feelings of nostalgia given the fact that the country is still
grappling with putting in place basic infrastructure due to
poor leadership and planning.
The governor expressed appreciation to the
Committee for the bold step taken to enact the
Petroleum Industry Bill, saying that the retreat which
would culminate in the passage of the enactment, would
right the wrongs that has threatened the political
Governor Udom Emmanuel presenting souvenir to
Professor Olusola Adeyeye, leader of the delegation
consciousness and economic
emancipation of the nation as it would
set the template for development of
the oil sector of the economy and
foster unity in the country.
"I am excited that the bill which
has become a hoax over the years will
see the light of day and hereby appeal
to the Committee to expedite action on
the passage of the bill but with special
consideration to the oil producing
States.
“Today it is oil and gas,
tomorrow may be another resource like
iron, copper, limestone etc, so let's come up with a bill
that will be a reference point. I thank the Committee for
coming to the largest oil producing state for the
deliberation".
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is also the
Chief Whip in the Senate, as well as chairman Senate
Committee on Petroleum Resources, Professor Olusola
Adeyeye, said that the retreat was an opportunity for the
best minds to brainstorm and come up with enduring
solution to issues plaguing the oil sector of the economy.
Senator Adeyeye explained that the PIB which made
its debut in 2008, had suffered neglect by successive
administrations thereby leaving the oil sector in
comatose.
He pledged the 8th Assembly's preparedness to
evolve a bill that will guide the country in the regulation
of operations in the petroleum industry and in conformity
with international best practices.
He thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the
warmth reception accorded them and commended him
on his sense of punctuality describing it as an attribute of
a progressive minded leader.
Later at a special banquet held in honour of the
senators, Governor Emmanuel made a case for the
establishment of a petroleum depot in the state in order
to ease the challenge of haulage of petroleum products.
The committee members were treated to Akwa Ibom
indigenous cuisine, music and comedy as Ekemini Cultural
Troupe spiced the night with dance display to the delight
of the guest.
Governor Udom Emmanuel in group photograph with members of the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill
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