Oil blocks: Senator Ita Enang’s revelation on the Senate floor yields first fruits

By Nse Peter

If you think the revelation by Senator Ita Enang during the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) debate in the senate, that northerners own more than 83 per cent of oil blocks in Nigeria was mere noise making, you need to read this. A report published in The Nation newspaper today, Friday, 8 March, says the senate chamber was surprisingly quiet and peaceful as the PIB bill enters the second reading.

“The seamless passage of the bill to the committee stage surprised many in the gallery,” says The Nation. 

“Apparently because of the revelation on Wednesday that northerners own more than 83 per cent of oil blocks, the Senate gallery was filled up.

Those at the gallery who expected a stormy session left disappointed when nothing of such took place,” the paper reported.

The Nation quoted the senate president, David Mark as saying that the PIB is not North versus South affair.

“He (David Mark) noted it was obvious that what is good for the North is also good for the South and what is bad for the South is bad for the North.”

Editor’s Comment: Thumbs up to Senator Ita Enang for boldly confronting the northern senators who were obviously selfish during the stormy debate in the senate.