Delta State Forfeiture of Property Bill has passed second reading on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The Executive Bills scaled the second reading after a robust debates on it merits by the Lawmakers at plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori.
The bill forwarded to the state legislature last December by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for legislative processing, is for a law to provide for forfeiture of property used for illegal storage of crude oil and other matters connected therewith.
Leading debates on its merits, Majority Leader, Ferguoson Onwo, described it as apt and timely, and lauded the initiator and Governor of the State, for his forthrightness in drafting the proposed laws.
Onwo explained that despite past government’s efforts, issues surrounding crude oil thefts in the country has been very alarming, saying that the 12 clause bill is to address the disturbing and worrisome phenomenon in Delta State.
He explained further that pipelines vandalism have caused so much harms to lives and property in the state, disclosing that clause ten of the proposed law expressly recommends forfeiture of facilities and property used in the storage of the stolen crude.
Maintaining that the bill is open ended, innocuous, harmless and of great benefits to the people, the Majority Leader, emphasized the need for its early passage as it implementation would be of immense benefit not only to the government and people of Delta State but the country at large.
In their contributions, the Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor, Deputy Majority Leader, Oboro Preyor, the member representing Ika North East, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Aniocha North, Emeka Nwaobi, Ndokwa West, Charles Emetulu, Warri South 1, Augustine Uroye and others, said the proposed law will bring sanity in the oil industry.
They described crude oil theft as one of the many ills of the contemporary times in the Niger Delta, explaining that the Bill has become imperative as it would help in addressing the evils inherent in it, including insecurity, environmental pollution, loss of lives and property as well decline in the State and National revenues, among others.
The Lawmakers stressed that the proposed law would further strengthen earlier Acts enacted by the federal government against oil pipeline vandalism, noting that penalties for those that go against the law are clearly spelt out in the bill.
According to the legislators, oil bunkering is being made unattractive in the state, even as they pointed out that many youths have lost their lives
in the illegal deal as the process of execution has no respect to safety rules.
They said with the proposed law, owners of property used for illegal storage of crude oil will have a rethink.
Speaker, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori who commended members for the robust debates, subsequently referred the bill to the House committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, for further legislative actions.