Rowdy Session In National Assembly As South-South Lawmakers Protest Over 3% Host Community Fund

 Members of the House of Representatives from the Niger Delta region are currently spoiling for war with the leadership of the National Assembly over the reduction of host community funds from 5% to 3% in the harmonised version of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

It was learnt that it has been a rowdy session since Thursday morning even before the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made his way into the chamber for the commencement of plenary session.

The South-South members, armed with copies of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, waited for the procession of the Speaker into the chamber to begin the business of the day.

The lawmakers from the Niger Delta region, noticeably, Hon. Chinyere Igwe and Hon. Boma Goodhead from Rivers State and the Hon. Bede Eke from Imo State thereafter started shouting “5 percent”, gesticulating with their hands to draw attention.

As the rowdy session was one, the Speaker and other principal officers matched into the chamber.

In a bid to calm the fray nerves of the lawmakers, Gbajabiamila therefore called for an executive session of the House.