The Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly has reiterated that the establishment of Ibom oil and gas corporation when passed into law will enhance income and job creation in the state.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong who stated this while declaring open the public hearing on the bill for a law to establish the Ibom oil and gas corporation and for other purpose connected thereto noted that the bill is the overall interest of the state.
Elder Otong maintained that the proposed oil and gas corporation will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the energy sector.
“As we deliberate on this bill, we must consider the immense potential of our petroleum resources to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the lives of our citizens’
He added that the Bill is a veritable fulfilment of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno PHD’s Policy Thrust of the oil and gas section of the Arise Agenda..
The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong who was represented by the member representing Eket state state constituency in the Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly,Dr Nsidibe Akata, noted that the public hearing was to give critical stakeholders the opportunity to make input into the bill.
The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on petroleum matters Mr Udobia Udo whose instances the public hearing was held, said the public hearing is to give clearity on what the bill seeks to address.
‘The bill under review today seeks to establish a State owned Oil and Gas Company that will enable the State, among others, to engage in Upstream Activities such as exploration, drilling, and production, participate in Oil and Gas Bid Rounds to secure marginal fields allocation and optimize our state’s interest’
Contributing to the bill, The Commissioner for environment, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Iquo Abia advised that establishment should entail guidelines for environment sustainability.
The Ibeno Elders, CSOs called for the inclusion of the host community in the board.
