The governors of states in the South-South zone have appealed to members of the National Assembly to expedite action in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River made the appeal on Monday in Uyo at the end of the Governors’ Forum with members of the National Assembly from the zone.
Imoke, who spoke on behalf of the forum, said that the delay in the passage of the bill had impacted negatively on the South-South states.
According to him, the forum decries the long delay in the passage of the bill but commends the Federal Government for its effort in presenting the bill to the National Assembly.
“On the Petroleum Industry Bill, while we note the long delay in its passage, which has impacted negatively on the states, we commend the recent effort by the Federal Government to re-introduce the bill.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the various committees drafting the bill, as a matter of urgency, to finalise the passage of the bill.
“We also urged members of the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the bill as submitted, so that the nation at large can benefit from the resources,’’ Imoke said.
He said that the governors also agreed to put together ideas for the benefit of the South-South people and the country in the proposed constitutional amendment.
He said: “On the proposed constitution amendment, the meeting agreed that it was necessary to put together ideas and appreciates the commonality of our people to speak with one voice during the process.''
The forum appealed to those, who are aggrieved in the country, to utilise the constitutional process to seek redress rather than embark on the destruction of lives and property. (NAN)