Senator representing Abia-South Senatorial District on the
platform of Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has
earned his colleagues’ criticisms over an interview he granted Channels
Television.
In the said interview, the Senate Minority Leader had
alleged that the All Progressives Congress’ senators conspired to shortchange
the host communities when the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Speaking at the Wednesday Plenary, Deputy Senate President,
Ovie Omo-Agege, faulted the interview granted by the Minority Leader on
Tuesday.
Omo-Agege claimed under a point of order that Abaribe, in
the interview, alleged that APC senators conspired to shortchange the host
communities when the Senate passed the PIB.
He said that there was no time the APC senators conspired to
reduce the five per cent equity share approved for the host communities in the
joint committee’s report to three per cent
“But notwithstanding that agreement, the APC as a party took
a party position to reduce the 5% of the host communities to 3%. I am the
Deputy Senate President, but I also represent Delta North Senatorial district
in the Niger Delta region.
“There are many communities in my district that are host
communities based on the provisions in the PIA. There was never a time that I
am aware that the caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a political
party, here in the Senate and outside the party met and took a decision that
the oil host communities in the Niger Delta be shortchanged by reducing the
host communities development fees.from 5% to 3%.
“I have received several calls from my constituents since
last night after the interview till now. A decision has been taken by the
Senate and that bill has been passed into law with a caveat that those of us
who are dissatisfied that opportunities will be given to us as we move on that
we can come forward with an amendment.
“In line with that, Buhari recently came up with an
amendment and time goes on, other amendments will also come up to cure some of
these issues that we face.”
The DSP expressed disappointment that the Minority leader
didn’t tell the truth, a situation that put him at risk with his constituents
who are beneficiaries.
He added: “I felt so offended and I think some of the APC in
the Senate also felt so offended including some opposition Senators because in
that decision, some PDP Senators were also part of it. Some Senators from the
Niger Delta region also voted for us to have what we arrived at a majority
decision and that is what I’m democracy is all about. It was the majority that
arrived at 3%; it wasn’t partisan, it wasn’t about PDP or APC position.”
Reacting, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said members of
the Ninth Senate did not vote along party lines.
“When the Senate takes a decision, we should inform the
public correctly because it is our duty to give the correct information to the
public.
“I will encourage us to talk less to the Press on ways that
will give the Press a wrong impression. We should concentrate more on talking
to our colleagues in the Senate.
“I would have loved to give the Minority Leader an
opportunity to speak, but this is a matter of privilege. I hope all of you have
learnt a lesson or two from this.
“There is no point giving wrong information because we never
vote along party lines,” Lawan said.
The Senate President encouraged them to rather discuss among
themselves if they feel dissatisfied with what is happening, either within the
country or in the chamber.
“DSP, and distinguish colleagues,the Minority leader is not
here today.
“Let me make my comment on this. First of all, this Senate
as far as I can remember didn’t vote along party lines, not even the 52
majority. The APC as a majority and even two of the PDP Senators voted along
the line that appeared that carried the day.
“So as politicians, ours is to lobby; is to engage our
colleagues and if there’s any issue that we feel strongly; an issue that will
make life better to those that we represent, there is always another day.
“If you are not able to get what you want, there’s always
another day. That we passed a bill doesn’t mean that another day, one cannot
have his way. But when the Senate arrives at a decision, we should be at thee
forefront of informing the public correctly because we in a position more than
anyone else to give a correct position to the members of the public.”
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