Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has assured the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) of his support in ensuring that the oil and gas sector is fully harnessed.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa made the remarks during a courtesy visit of the committee to office in Akure on Monday.
Akeredolu, who acknowledged the work of the committee, noted that though the oil and gas industry was changing in terms of stakeholders and interests which accounted for slow pace on the passage of the law.
He urged the 9th Assembly to ensure that the bill scaled all the hurdles and get signed by the President.
“I believe you will be very objective at the end of the day and that everyone’s interest is protected, adding that the state government would give necessary support whenever the arises.
“It is something that is good and we will continue to interact with the national assembly. The host community must agree and speak with one voice on how their interest will be protected,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman, Joint Committee on PIB, Senator James Manager who congratulated the Governor on his just concluded second term inauguration, noted the determination of the National Assembly to ensure the petroleum industry bill comes to reality.
Manager, who is a senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, said the petroleum industry bill has four components; governance, administration, fiscal and host communities.
He expressed the importance of meeting the host communities to know their positions about the bill for their benefits.
“The host community is fundamental ,at the end of the day, whatever law put in place must be in tandem with them,” he said.
📸 Olawale Abolade
Tona Sina Adeyeye,
Press Officer,
Deputy Governor’s Office
1/03/21
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