By Elo Edremoda, Warri

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, as well as lawmakers from the Southsouth region have been charged to “protect the interest” of oil and gas producing communities.

The charge was given in a statement by an ex-warlord in the Niger Delta, General Solo Adu, following protests that have continued to rock the passage of three per cent for host communities development funding in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

According to the ex-agitator, who is from the Urhobo/Isoko group of ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the passed three per cent funding for host communities should be rejected, as it defies justice for the people.

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He stressed that as the region is the mainstay of the nation’s economy, three per cent of development funding amounts to treating the people as second class citizens.

The statement read in part: “I want to strongly implore the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the Southsouth National Assembly members to protect the maximum interest of the host communities.

“Indeed, this bill will give some level of developmental leverage to the host communities without any form of stress and agitation.

“For justice, the three per cent should be rejected.

“We can’t continue to be treated as second class citizens of this country despite being the major contributor to Nigeria’s sustainability”.

The ex-militant further emphasised that reviewing and implementing the PIB will sustain and enhance the existing peace in the area.

Expressing confidence that the PIB will address the challenges facing the Southsouth region, once reviewed, Adu advised International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the area to ensure that they operate in tandem with the law when passed, as any attempt to continue with their divide-and-rule methods will be “resisted”.