The House of Representatives’ Ad hoc Committee responsible for Investigating Holders of Oil Mining Leases and Oil Prospecting Licenses in Nigeria has insisted on the allocation of more oil wells to Niger Delta indigenes.
This was disclosed by the committee’s chairman, Gideon Gwani, on Sunday when his team visited Belemaoil Oil Producing Limited at OML 55 offshore production platform in Rivers State.
Gwani, stated that if some of the oil blocs that were illegally acquired in the region were relinquished, there would be more opportunities for indigenes in the area.
He also noted that that allocating more oil blocs to the indigenes in the region would also guarantee peace in the Niger Delta.
The ad-hoc committee chairman was quoted to have said, “That’s why we are carrying out this investigation. We believe that when some of these oil blocs that were illegally acquired are relinquished, it will create an opportunity for some members of the host communities to participate in the acquisition process. By this, Niger Delta indigenes will have the opportunity to do business with these resources in their domain and also contribute to the national economy.
“I believe that if we allow indigenes of Niger Delta to own some of these oil wells, we will have peace in the area and the country will witness stable economic growth. As a committee, we will investigate those who have not paid signature bonuses, rents and royalties and we shall insist that they make such payments to the Federal Government.”
