Communities in the Niger Delta have canvassed a 50 per cent derivation sharing formula for gas revenue as a part of the provisions on the Downstream Gas Bill 2005 currently under consideration. The communities, which were at the Senate�s public hearing on the bill on Thursday to present their position, said that it was the only way to guarantee peace in the region. Presenting a paper on behalf of the Host Communities of Nigeria Oil and Gas, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Dudu Bolatis, said the derivation formula was silent on the gas bill before the Senate to the detriment of the host communities. �We do believe that our recommendation is based on the true assessment of the environment in which the gas is extracted. �If the above is addressed and taken, it will eradicate youth restiveness and hostage taking. We do believe that if this is done, the youths will be gainfully employed and they will thereby be taken off the streets and creeks,� he said. The communities also demanded that five of the members of the board of the Nigerian Gas Regulatory Commission should come from gas producing states based on their production quantum. According to Bolatis, priority should be accorded to persons from host communities in the award of contracts and issuance of operating licences. However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Rufus Spiff, noted that the bill was for all Nigerians, adding that it would adequately cater for the interest of the host communities.
Feb22007