Senator Bassey Albert Akpan: His legislative accomplishments-2015 – 2022
By Victor Effik
INTRODUCTION
Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), the senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State caucus in the National Assembly has since 2015 till now discharged his legislative assignment in the Senate with grit, distinction, elan and profound human compassion for his constituents such that that his constituents and Nigerians have fallen in love with his immense capacity to deliver public service in such a scale that is uncommon in our clime.
Akwa Ibom indigenes can recall with glee how he ended up as a voice of courage and redemption for Akwa Ibom people in the Eighth Senate at a time other senators, either for fear of the unknown or phobia to play the opposition, decided to play the ostrich.
He has shown capacity both in terms of legislative accomplishments, human capital development of his constituents and nomination of several life transforming projects in the areas of health, education, roads, electricity, among others. However, it is in the area of his primary responsibility as a legislator that he has made most impact and contribution to the development of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular.
MOTIONS SPONSORED IN FIRST TERM
As a development economist and a transformational leader, the following were motions sponsored by Senator Albert, all of which were geared towards addressing the dire economic straits and infrastructural decay bedeviling the country:
1. Motion on the urgent need to halt the dilapidated and disintegrated state of Ikot Ekpene-Itu-Calabar Federal Highway;
2. Motion on the need to curb the soaring rate of unemployment in Nigeria;
3. Motion on urgent need for effective implementation of the Joint Venture Cash Calls obligations by NNPC
4. Motion on the need to address the present economic state of the nation
5. Motion on urgent need to investigate the granting of concession of the Western and Eastern rail lines to General Electric of USA
6. Motion on the need to save the 215 megawatt Kaduna Power Plant.
These motions led to far reaching resolutions taken by the Senate to re-engineer our national economy. For instance, it was his motion on the need to address the present economic state of the nation that raised the first alarm that Nigeria had irredeemably sunk into the abyss of economic recession in 2016. The motion led to the summoning of the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank Governor by the Senate who both admitted that the country was truly on the precipice of recession.
PETITIONS PRESENTED IN FIRST TERM
Out of the nine petitions presented on the floor of the Eighth Senate by Senator Albert, two of the petitions led to the reinstatement of two federal public servants from Akwa Ibom State whose appointments were wrongfully terminated.
The following are the two petitions:
1. RE-INSTATEMENT AND PROMOTION OF POLICE OFFICER SACKED FOR 21 YEARS
Recall that a police officer from Ini Local Government, Celestine Obot Williams, who was wrongfully dismissed for a period of 21 years was re-instated following a petition presented to the Senate by Senator Bassey Albert in 2016.
The Senate recommended his re-instatement; however, Mr. Williams was re-instated in May 2017 but not at his due rank as recommended by the Senate. In his second term, Senator Albert made further intervention on behalf of Mr. Williams with the police authorities leading to the restoration of Mr. Williams to his due rank as well full payment of his entitlements.
History was made on February 16, 2021 when Mr. Williams was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) effective June 11, 2020. Senator Albert, while decorating him with his new rank in his National Assembly office also promised to donate a vehicle to him to enhance his work.
2. RECALL OF MR. NTIA THOMPSON
Another Akwa Ibom indigene, Mr. Ntia Thompson, an Assistant Director at the time and Head of SERVICOM Unit in the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DCTA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was also prematurely retired for exposing corruption was re-instated following a petition presented on his behalf to the Senate by Senator Albert.
Other petitions presented to the Senate by Senator Albert in his first term included the following:
1 The state of affairs in the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Co (NNMC) Ltd, Oku Iboku
2 Illegal conversion and diversion of salaries and allowances of Sgt. Peter John by the Nigeria Police and victimization
3 Victimization of Mr. Aniekan Umoh by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
4 Wrongful dismissals of Debongs Ndem Anietum from the services of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Port Harcourt
5 Wrongful dismissals of two indigenes of AKS, Mr. Peter Solomon Archibong by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Ex Corporal Imo Sunday by the Nigerian Police Force.
6 The willful damage of oil and gas prospecting in Ituk Mbang village by Moni Pull Ltd, and denial of compensation.
7 Brutal torture, arrests and politically motivated killings of Akwa Ibom people orchestrated by AIG, Musa Kimo and three others prior to the 2019 general elections. The petition was presented on Wednesday, 13 March, 2019
BILLS SPONSORED IN FIRST TERM
In his first term, Senator Albert sponsored the following Bills, namely:
1. The National Youth Employment and Development Bill
2. The Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan Bill
3. The Petroleum Industry Administration Bill
4. The Gas Flaring Prohibition and Punishment Bill, which is the first legislative attempt since Nigeria’s independence to seek an end to Gas Flaring in Nigeria through legislation.
The Gas Flaring Prohibition and Punishment Bill was eventually passed by the Eighth Senate towards the end of its session, and because of time could not receive the concurrence of the House of Representatives prior to presidential assent hence the bill has been represented in the Ninth Senate.
CONSTITUENCY OUTREACH IN FIRST TERM
Besides his legislative accomplishments in the Senate, his constituency empowerment and human development programme have given succour to over 2,000 indigenes. Similarly, his constituency projects on provision of solar powered water to rural communities, road construction and donation of life enhancing drugs to health centers across Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District were part of his stewardship in his first term.
Given such awesome record, it was no surprise that his re-election into the Ninth Senate was a fait accompli.
LEGISLATIVE SCORE CARD IN SECOND TERM
The stellar performance of Senator Bassey Albert as Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas in his first term made a strong impression on the leadership of the Ninth Senate under the leadership of Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan. Given his in-depth knowledge of the petroleum sector and the reforms he brought to bear on the gas sector in particular, the leadership of the Ninth Senate found him worthy to be appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream.
At the inauguration of the Committee on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, Senator Albert rolled out the agenda of the committee to reposition the country’s petroleum sector. In an address delivered at the meeting, Senator Albert, while regretting that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has lingered over the years without passage into law, assured industry stakeholders that the Ninth Senate will ensure an accelerated passage of the Bill.
He also assured stakeholders of the determination of the Senate to conclude the process for the amendment of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, CAP D3 LFN 2004 to drive the country’s oil and gas sector, a promise he kept when he not only sponsored a Bill for the amendment of the Act but also spearheaded the conclusion of the legislative process on the bill leading to its signing into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The following are his legislative contributions since his re-election
MOTIONS SPONSORED IN SECOND TERM
The following are Motions sponsored so far by Senator Albert in his second term:
1. URGENT NEED TO REFORM NIGERIA’S HOUSING POLICY AND MORTGAGE FINANCING IN NIGERIA TO MEET THE ESCALATING HOUSING DEMAND IN THE COUNTRY
Senator Albert on Thursday, November 28, 2019 sponsored a motion calling for reforms of Nigeria’s housing policy and mortgage financing to meet the escalating housing demand of Nigerians especially the poorest Nigerians. The Senate also aligned with his prayers that it should mandate its Committee on Housing to work out modalities with the various stakeholders in the National Housing Development sector to ensure the implementation of affordable housing across the country.
The motion recalls that the creation of National Housing Fund (NHF) through the NHF Act of 1992 was to cater for the majority of Nigerians in line with the various national housing and various international conventions/treaties like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and other international conventions on affordable housing to which Nigeria is a signatory.
However, the motion drew attention to the fact that access to the National Housing Fund through the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) is cumbersome due to stringent and complex eligibility criteria which makes the development of housing through the Fund challenging or practically impossible to majority of Nigerians
2. RE-OPENING OF IBOM AIRPORT
Senator Albert on Tuesday, June 8, 2020 drew the attention of Senate on the need to include Ibom Airport on the list of airports in the country to be reopened following the shutting down of airports in the country as measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Consequently, the Senate directed the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation to liaise with the Aviation authorities to ensure that Ibom Airport was among the airports to be reopened.
3. MOTION SEEKING RELOCATION OF OIL COMPANIES TO OPERATIONAL BASES
On Tuesday, 28th September, 2021, Senator Albert sponsored a motion on the urgent need to encourage all oil and gas companies to relocate to their operational bases. Following the motion, the Senate mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas to liaise with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Petroleum Industry Act to facilitate the relocation of oil and gas companies to their operational bases.
The Motion notes that although security concerns have been the reason proffered by the oil and gas companies for not relocating to their host companies, it expresses the conviction that the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 now places responsibilities on the security, peace and security of oil and gas infrastructures on the host communities to safeguard and ensure peaceful co-existence between oil and gas companies and their host communities. The relocation of the oil and gas companies to their host communities, according to the motion, will present an opportunity to restore, recover and rehabilitate the massive and huge infrastructural facilities abandoned by the various oil and gas companies in their various operational bases to ensure their full utilization.
“It will also boost development in those areas and enhance the corporate social relationship and strengthen our collective resolve to considerably reduce the contentious cost of production and ensure adequate returns to the federation account”, Senator Bassey Albert noted, while presenting the motion.
4. TAKE OFF GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY OF UYO
A shocking revelation was made on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 on the floor of the Nigerian Senate when Senator Albert in his motion drew the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the non-release of statutory take off grant to the University of Uyo 30 years after its establishment. While calling for the release of the said fund, Senator Albert called for the rehabilitation of the deplorable infrastructure of the university after 30 years of its establishment.
MOTIONS CO-SPONSORED IN SECOND TERM
Senator Albert also co-sponsored the following motions:
1. Nigeria’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA), which urged the federal government to enlighten the country’s business community to leverage on the immense benefits of the Agreement.
2. Urgent need to address the sorry state of computer education by providing training for teachers and basic computer facilities in public schools
3. The need to install computerized oil facilities management gadgets for Nigerian crude oil businesses
4. The death of 9 Nigerian migrants in Libya
5. General insecurity in Nigeria
PETITIONS PRESENTED IN SECOND TERM
The following are petitions so far presented by Senator Albert on behalf of his constituents in his second term:
1. PERCEIVED MARGINALIZATION OF AKWA IBOM INDIGENES IN FEDERAL APPOINTMENTS
Senator Bassey on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 presented a petition on behalf of Akwa Ibom State Caucus in the Senate alleging marginalization of Akwa Ibom State in terms of Federal appointments. The petition was referred to the Committee on rules and ethics for legislative action
2. UNLAWFUL TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MR. IGNATIUS UDOM BY NMRC
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Senator Albert presented a petition from his constituent, Mr. Ignatius Udom against the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) over unlawful termination of his appointment.
3. INTERVENTION IN FACE-OFF BETWEEN TOTAL ENERGIES AND AKWA IBOM STATE
Following a petition to the Senate by the Akwa Ibom State Government and host communities over the failure of TOTAL Energies (Total E & P) to renew its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with host communities, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan had by the leave of the Senate waded into the matter with a view to bringing an amicable resolution between the parties.
In a meeting held on Wednesday, 15th September, 2021 in the Senate and attended by Paramount Rulers of Eket, Itu, Onna, Okobo and representatives of Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Nsit Ibom, Ibesikpo Asutan and Ikot Abasi, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Power and Petroleum, Dr. John James Etim requested Senator Bassey Albert Akpan and his colleagues to prevail on TOTAL to open an operational office in the state in line with the Nigerian Content Act 2010 and renew the Global Memorandum of Understanding with its host communities in the state
According to Dr. Etim, TOTAL operates in fields some of which has Ibibio names, namely Ime, Ofon, Odudu, Amanam/Kpono and Ikike. He said the ministry has made various efforts to reach out to the company for a dialogue on why they should continue in their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) and MoU review process but they ignored all calls and refused to honour invitations to meetings. Dr. Etim informed Senator Albert and his colleagues that the activities of the company go against the Local Content Act, saying, “Total only comes and tell stories about not operating in the state. If you claim you are not operating in the state, why then is your operational bases reflecting Akwa Ibom names”?
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Rulers and the host communities, the Paramount Ruler of Itu, His Majesty, Edidem (Dr.) Edet A. Inyang warned the company not to take the peaceful disposition of the people of the state to mean weakness and requested the company to do what is right. “We have sacrificed a lot to make the state peaceful for you to operate.
Listen to this Distinguished Senate. Go and correct your ways. Don’t treat us as if we are weak,” the royal father said. On its part, the Head of Public Relations, TOTAL, Mr. Meziechi Nwogu who led the team of the company to the meeting told Senator Albert that the company had MoU with the communities since 2009 and that it was put on hold when the court cases were brought against the company. He said “the company was not unwilling to do MoU with the communities.”
In his response, Senator Albert said the committee will visit the operational bases of the company to ascertain things for itself. He implored the company not to capitalize on court cases not to review its MoU with its host communities.
4. UNLAWFUL STOPPAGE OF WORK AND DEMOTION IN RANK OF INSPECTOR OFFIONG
Senator Albert on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 submitted a petition to the Senate over unlawful stoppage of work, demotion in rank of his constituent, Inspector Emmanuel Nsoyo Offong by the Nigeria Police. In the said petition, Senator Albert stated: “I write to forward a petition by Insp. Emmanuel Nsoyo Offong who is my constituent, against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over unlawful stoppage of work, demotion in rank and withholding of his salaries since April 2014 till date”.
According to the petition, the Petitioner notes that he has been wrongfully denied his emoluments/entitlements especially since he is not serving any disciplinary action and the NPF has not dismissed him from service. He has not sought any judicial remedy as he believes the Senate’s intervention will bring about justice.
5. WRONGFUL DISENGAGEMENT OF MR. PETER ARCHIBONG BY NEPZA
Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) on Tuesday 19th Nov, 2019 presented a petition on the floor of the Senate against the wrongful disengagement of one of his constituents, Mr. Peter Archibong by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). According to Senator Albert, his dismissal was mala fide and without due process and prayed that Mr. Archibong be reinstated within the shortest possible time.
These petitions are currently receiving the attention of the Senate.
BILLS SPONSORED IN SECOND TERM AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE PRESIDENT
As Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Senator Albert has sponsored/co-sponsored the following Bills, which has been signed into law by the President:
1. AMENDMENT OF THE DEEP OFFSHORE AND INLAND BASIN PSC ACT
When the Senate passed its fastest ever Bill in the history of legislation in Nigeria on Tuesday, 15 October 2019, Senator Albert, who was the sponsor of the Bill, played a leading role in the passage of that Bill. The Bill titled, a Bill to Amend the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act D3 LFN 2004, was read the first time in the Senate on Thursday, October 3, 2019.
The intendment of the Bill was the need to review and recover additional revenue accruable to the government of the Federation from the Production Sharing Contracts pursuant to the Act of 2004.
Leading the debate on the second reading of the Bill to Amend the Act on October 8, 2019, Senator Albert informed his colleagues that the said Act did not provide any mechanism or sanction for the implementation or otherwise of the provisions regarding the statutory periodic review in Section 16. To this end, he said the Bill seeks to amend the Act to make provisions for periodic review of royalty payable in respect of Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) as well as offenses and penalty for non-compliance.
The extant Act had, in section 16, provided that where the price of crude oil exceeds US$20 per barrel, the PSC Act will be reviewed to ensure that the share of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in the additional revenue is adjusted to the extent that the PSCs shall be economically beneficial to the FGN, and that in any event, the PSC Act shall be liable to be reviewed after 15 years from its commencement in 1993 and every 5 years thereafter.
The Bill was subsequently referred to the Joint Senate Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Gas, Finance, Judiciary and Human Rights chaired by Senator Albert for further legislative work. On Monday, Oct 14, 2019, the Joint Committee held a one-day consultative meeting/public hearing with stakeholders. Declaring the meeting open, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan said there was need to amend the Act to maintain a competitive environment for the oil and gas sector to thrive.
He disclosed that the National Assembly is determined to pass the bill as a precursor to passing the Petroleum Industry Bill. On Tuesday October 15, 2019, Senator Albert presented the report of the Senate Joint Committee, which was adopted. The Senate thereafter resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill clause by clause. The Bill was subsequently read the third time and passed. It received the concurrence of the House of Representatives and was eventually signed into law by the President.
With the signing of the Bill into law, it is estimated that Nigeria reaped about $1.5billion to fund the 2020 Budget. Other features of the legislation include an exponential increase of fine from N50 million or an option of one-year imprisonment to N500 million or option of 5 years’ imprisonment as penalty for violation of the provisions. Also, the Bill provides for royalty payable to the Federal Government to be reviewed after eight years instead of 15 years.
2. PETROLEUM INDUSTRY BILL (PIB)
History was made by Senator Bassey Albert and his colleagues in the Senate on Thursday, July 1, 2021 when the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). It would be recalled that the Senate Joint Committee comprising its Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream chaired by Senator Albert, Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream chaired by Senator Mohammed Sabo and Committee on Gas chaired by Senator James Manager were mandated by the Senate to conclude work on the Bill.
The Joint Committee laid its report on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 after which the bill was considered by the Senate and passed.
The bill has five parts, eight schedules, and 319 clauses. The bill is aimed at promoting transparency, good governance, and accountability in the oil and gas. The various obsolete laws currently in operation in the country were updated and consolidated to meet global competitiveness.
The Conference Committee comprising members of the both chambers later met to fine-tune the controversial aspects of the bill and a clean copy was sent to the President who assented to the Bill on Monday, August 16, 2021.
OTHER BILLS SPONSORED SO FAR IN SECOND TERM
The following Bills sponsored by Senator Albert are currently under consideration by the Senate:
1. BILL TO END GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA
A Bill to end gas flaring in Nigeria sponsored by Senator Albert was passed by the Eighth Senate on Wednesday, 17th April 2019, but could not receive the concurrence of the House of Representatives because it was passed by the Senate towards the end of its tenure. Senator Albert has re-presented the Bill in the Ninth Senate, which has already passed through the second reading stage.
2. BILL TO AMEND THE NIGERIAN SOVEREIGN INVESTMENT ACT
Senator Albert is also sponsoring a Bill to Amend the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment) Act, CAP N166 LFN 2004. The bill seeks to amend the principal Act to provide for additional funding of the Sovereign Wealth Fund through a statutory allocation of funds from the monthly revenue accruing to the Federation Account. The Bill has passed the second reading stage.
3. BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION ACT
Senator Albert is also sponsoring a Bill for an Act to amend the Public Complaints Commission Act of 1975 to amongst others, provide additional powers for the commission to ensure compliance with the commission’s recommendation by respondents, create adequate awareness as well precision on the commission’s functions.
4. BILL SEEKING TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONTHLY REVENUE ACCRUING TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT
This is a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the inclusion of the Sovereign Wealth Funds in the distribution of monthly revenue accruing to the Federation Account has passed through the first reading in the Senate. Senator Albert presented the Bill on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Bill also seeks to amend Section 162 (3) of the Principal Act to allow the Sovereign Wealth Funds established under the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority Act, to be a beneficiary of the Federation Account.
5. BILL SEEKING TO AMEND THE ALLOCATION OF REVENUE (FEDERATION ACCOUNT, ETC) ACT 2004
Senator Albert has sponsored a bill seeking to amend the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, Etc.) Act 2004 to develop monthly saving culture for Nigeria against the rainy day. The bill, which was first read in May 2020 passed through second reading in the Senate on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
The bill titled ‘ALLOCATION OF REVENUE (FEDERATION ACCOUNT, ETC.) ACT CAP A 15 LFN 2004 (AMENDMENT), 2020 seeks to amend the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, Etc.) Act CAP A 15 LFN 2004 to make the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) a first-line charge beneficiary of the Federation Account to enable the country save for the rainy days.
It also seeks to amend section 1 of the principal Act to provide for additional funding for the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) by including the NSIA as a first-line charge beneficiary of the monthly distributable funds from the Federation Account. The bill proposes an amount (equivalent to 20% of the amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account, less the statutory 13 percent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from natural resources) to be allocated to the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, on monthly basis.
“The proposed amendment as contained in the bill is to complement series of earlier amendments related to the subject by developing a constitutional and consistent monthly saving culture for the Federation, while guarding against constitutional breaches and conflict of laws”, he said. Senator Albert reiterated the need for Nigeria to develop a culture of saving to douse panic each time there is a potential threat of economic crisis.
6. BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AKWA IBOM
A Bill for the establishment of Federal University of Technology Akwa Ibom was presented by Senator Albert on Tuesday, 29th June, 2021. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved a take-off grant of N18 billion for the establishment of new universities of technology and health sciences in the country.
The new universities of technology will be located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states, while the universities of health sciences will be established in Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.
OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SENATOR ALBERT IN HIS SECOND TERM IN THE ECONOMIC INTEREST OF NIGERIA AND AKWA IBOM STATE
1. $9.6 BILLION JUDGEMENT DEBT AGAINST NIGERIA
When the Senate resumed from its eight weeks’ recess on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, a motion was raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele on the controversial $9.6 billion judgement debt delivered against Nigeria by a British Court purportedly after a failed Gas supply and processing agreement (GS) between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Process and Industrial Development (P& ID) Limited.
Speaking in support of the motion, Senator Albert, a trained economist, noted that procedures as stipulated under the National Gas Supply and Pricing Regulations, 2008, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (Establishment) Act 2005 as well as the key strategies of the National Gas Master Plan, 2008 for gas supply and processing agreements of this nature, were not duly followed from the period of conception to the execution stage of the Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) with P & ID.
He further observed that there is no tangible evidence of equipment and/or any other elementary infrastructure procured by P & ID in readiness for the gas processing take off as claimed. He also expressed concern that the consequential arbitration, court proceedings and the award against Nigeria has been concealed from the National Assembly.
It was such brilliant presentation that triggered off the resolution by the Senate to invite the Minister for Petroleum, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, officials of the ministry of petroleum, agencies, lawyers, consultants who represented the country during the conception stage of the GSPA, arbitration and court proceedings to appear before the Senate to brief it on steps taken in the interest of Nigeria.
2. HISTORIC RESOLUTION OF THE NNPC/CHEVRON ESCRAVOS GAS TO LIQUID DEAL
One of the signature achievements of Senator Albert in the Senate is the pivotal role he played in the resolution of cost dispute between NNPC and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) which had lingered on for over a decade and defied solution by previous sessions of the Senate.
The intervention of the Senate Committee on Gas chaired by Senator Albert in the Eighth Senate, and later Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream in the Ninth Senate also chaired by him led to the historic resolution of the long disputed NNPC/Chevron Escravos Gas to Liquid deal in favour of Nigeria. The deal raked in several billions of dollars into the country’s economy.
CONSTITUENCY OUTREACH IN SECOND TERM
1. OBA SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
The first phase of Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) Scholarship Scheme had over 180 students mostly drawn from all the nine local government areas of Uyo Senatorial District as beneficiaries with some beneficiaries drawn from local government areas from other Senatorial Districts.
However, during the second phase of the scholarship scheme, Senator Albert magnanimously extended his benevolence to students from the 31 local government areas of the state. A total of 1449 students applied for the scholarship out of which 1150 students were shortlisted for the qualifying examination for the second phase of the scheme.
After a rigorous screening exercise, 189 students (136 males and 53 females) were successful, bringing the total number of students that have so far benefitted from the programme to 381. Impressed with his philanthropic gesture, the Governing Council of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, had at its 7th combined convocation, conferred on Senator Albert an Educational and Philanthropic Award in recognition of his contributions to the development of the state’s educational sector.
2. INTERVENTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In his characteristic benevolence, Senator Albert made available palliatives in cash and kind to several indigenes of the state and organizations from across the state to cushion the effect of economic challenges occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
He also donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to several groups and organizations in the state including the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Council to assist in the fight against the pandemic.
3. DONATIONS OF MULTIMILLION NAIRA LIFE-TOUCHING ITEMS TO AKWA IBOM STATE INDIGENES
At every Yuletide season, Senator Albert routinely distributes welfare and empowerment items as well as cash to his constituents. However, the last Yuletide season was different as he extended the scope of beneficiaries beyond his senatorial district.
During the last Christmas and the New year celebrations, Senator Albert put smiles on the faces of many families in the state by donating life touching items including food items, cars, tricycles (Keke NAPEP), motorcycles and cash to indigenes of Akwa Ibom State at the ward and state levels throughout the 31 local government areas of the state.
It was a feat that was unprecedented in the history of the state that a single individual could extend this level of generosity to all the 31 local government areas in the state.
4. NOMINATION OF CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS IN SECOND TERM
In his second term, Senator Albert has consolidated on his achievements in the area of attracting infrastructural projects to his senatorial district commenced during his first term by nominating a number of constituency projects on health, roads, water, electricity, education etc. that are spread across all the nine local government areas of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and beyond. Some have been completed and commissioned while others are at various stages of completion.
5. OBA DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HUB
In yet another brilliant move to give back to society, Senator Albert has established the OBA Digital Technology Hub aimed at retraining young graduates at no cost to them to enable them acquire relevant digital skills to compete in today’s knowledge driven economy. Successful candidates are shortlisted after the Digital Literacy Benchmarking Test conducted by the Trainers. The programme is designed to equip students with the skills to use digital technologies to evaluate, create and access information.
Students who complete the course will earn a universally recognized certificate that would increase their marketability and earning power, validate their knowledge, and improve their digital skills. Students who distinguish themselves will then be retained as Trainers.
The IC3 training and certification testing will be provided free of charge to graduates of tertiary institutions looking to acquire digital skills in tune with today’s reality since digital literacy has become a global criterion for employment and promotion in the labour market.
