By Christopher Odamah, Warri
WARRI: The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark has canvassed for equity shares for the oil producing areas in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that is before the National Assembly.
Clark stated this recently at the Petroleum Training Institute, P.T.I. Conference Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the Delta State during the inauguration of the new National Leadership of the Izon-Ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum (IOPCF) led by Mr. Moses Edougha.
E.K. Clark who was represented by a retinue of delegation led by former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Cairo Ojuigboh told the forum that he has been working round the clock to ensure that oil producing areas are well taken care of and adequately rewarded in the provisions made in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before it is passed by the National Assembly for Presidential assent.
The former Minister urged the Executive members of the Izon-Ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum not to lose focus on its set objectives of ensuring that oil communities are not short-changed in issues that would bring the much needed development and other benefits from companies operating in their areas.
Also speaking is the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Gilbert Benafa, a former Commissioner for Transport, lambasting the long neglect of the Ijaw nation and charged the Moses Edougha led 10 man executive to constitute committee that will assist it in addressing the set goals of the Forum.
Highpoint of the ceremony include the member representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the board of DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuvwevbe, the Pere of Isaba Kingdom and Chairman, Ijaw Traditional Council, Delta State, HRM Pere Donokoromo II and Chief Lucy Brisibe amongst others.