Sampson seeks re-evaluation of laws against oil producing communities in A'Ibom

 

Rt Hon Barr Ekong Sampson PhD

By Theresa Donatus,

The former commissioner for environment and petroleum resources and Akwa Ibom South(Eket) senatorial district aspirant,  Rt Hon Dr. Ekong Sampson is seeking a reevaluation of laws which are inimical to the interest of oil-bearing communities in the country.

Speaking with newsmen in Uyo recently, Sampson, said that the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA) and the Water Resources Bill among other legislations, need to be looked at again.

He said that the PIA, for instance, is fraught with weaknesses, which rather than help to redress the sufferings of oil communities, has worsened them.

Ekong said if voted to the Senate he will lead campaigns against retrogressive legislations which erode the rights of oil communities.

He added that such legislations have also made the international oil companies(IOCs) to shy away from their responsibilities and obligations to their host communities.

His words, "We should not be campaigning on sentiments but on issues  on how do we can drive legislations in a way that protects the rights of our people in Eket Senatorial district. 

"Let's look at the PIA and form a vanguard against some laws that seem to take away the rights of our people. As a legislator if you sleep, they will pass a law that completely finishes your people.

"We need to make the communities come together to protect their rights and we need to get the big players to be alive to their responsibilities, and we need to firm up our laws. The Petroleum Industry Act needs to be looked at closely.

"Does that law really solve the problems of host communities ? Is it a ready instrument for divide and rule instead of succuor to oil producing communities? 

"I want to be in the senate as an active player using the dynamics of law to drive the interest of my people. We need to have profound engagements on some of these legislations".

Sampson maintained that he was in the  Senate race for Akwa Ibom South(Eket) district because he is favoured by zoning, capacity and experience.

"I'm running because zoning favors me, experience favors me and capacity favors me too. zoning makes for inclusiveness.

"I was officially presented as the preferred aspirant by my people. I have the experience  a good part of me was in law making; lawmaking is a major component of democracy. Nigeria will be a safer place to operate if the operators grasp the rudiments of law making and policies", he said.