Private jet saga is a calculated attempt to kill PIB, Group tells Reps

Graduates in the Niger Delta under the auspices of Graduates Association of the Niger Delta, GAND has described the alarm raised by the House of Representatives over the private jet saga of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Deziani- Allison Madueke as a calculated attempt to kill the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.

President of GAND, Comrade Progress Omo-Agege while briefing the press during a protest held at Escravos in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State declared that rather than first publicly telling Nigerians their annual budgetary allocation, individual remuneration and allowances, members of the House of Representatives are accusing the Minister of Petroleum of profligacy because she “ is one of the arrow heads working towards the passage of the PIB intended to ensure rapid development of the Niger Delta”.

According to GAND, “activities of the House of Representatives has been fraught with inciting, unsubstantiated, spurious and politically motivated allegations targeted at further weakening the political relevance of Niger Delta people in this unholy marriage called Nigeria”.

The group in its statement signed by Comr. Progress Omo-Agege, Comr. Agbefe Sebastine and Comr. Matthew Itsekure ,President, Secretary General and Spokesperson respectively averred that the scarcity of fuel across the country is a grand design by some business magnate “ who could not pressurize our delectable Minister in their failed bid to purchase oil blocs and some key members of the House of Representatives to discredit the Minister of Petroleum and chiefly placate the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration before Nigerians, particularly as the 2015 elections draw closer”.

While stressing that the House of Representatives allegation against the Minister of Petroleum is anti Niger Delta, GAND averred that statement credited to Alhaji Usman Bugaje of the Northern Elders Forum that crude oil in the Niger Delta is a property of the North is a tirade against people of the Niger Delta that will not augur well for the peace of the Nation.

Scores of members of GAND protested along some streets in Escravos, chanting solidarity songs for Mrs. Deziani-Allison Madueke with inscriptions such as “ Removing Deziani is anti Niger Delta” “Don’t Kill PIB” “Deziani, the face of this administration” “ Reps probe your salary before Deziani” the next target is Okonjo Iweala and “ conspiracy against Niger Delta must stop”.

Members of GAND during the protest at Excravos, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State

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