The House of Representatives’ Ad hoc Committee responsible for investigating Holders of Oil Mining Leases and Oil Prospecting Licenses in Nigeria has disclosed that allocating oil blocs to Niger Delta indigenes will guarantee peace in the region.
Disclosing this in Rivers State yesterday, the committee Chairman, Mr. Gideon Gwani explained that some of the oil blocs that were illegally acquired if relinquished, would create more opportunities for indigenes who own them.
According to Gwani, “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.”
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