Stakeholders in host communities of the Niger Delta Region have demanded ownership and control of the host communities trust funds proposed in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the development of oil-bearing areas. The host communities, however, noted that the PIB failed to address the fate of impacted communities, especially those that suffer the consequences of gas flares and other environmental damages and demanded that this lacuna be provided for before the passage of the bill. The communiqué, which had 10 resolutions, was endorsed on behalf of participants drawn from oil-bearing areas by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Federation of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (FENND), and Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), among a dozen other group representatives of host communities. Participants were treated to expert presentations and a panel discussion before a robust interactive session led to the adoption of the communiqué. YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEICYMI: Nigeria Back Into Recession, Worst Since 1987Nigeria is back into a recession.

Source: Nigerian Tribune November 22, 2020 15:44 UTC