The House of Representatives stuck to its promises on Tuesday, and passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for second reading.
Making comment on the Bill which has repeatedly failed since the 6th assembly of the apex legislature, Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that it was not passed by successive assemblies “because there were a lot of conflicting interests”, but that this time, the 9th Assembly is determined to pass the Bill, with national interest taking the front burner.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who opened debate on general principles of the Bill, said it was an instrument that would entrench transparency and effective management of the nation’s petroleum resources.
Speaking also, Rotimi Agunsoye, said it was time Nigeria put an end to doing things by trial and error, which would not work.
“Let’s have a legal backing, so that when people come to invest, they know what will happen when things go wrong. If you do things right, we will move forward,” he said while expressing support of its passage.
In his submissions, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Tahir Monguno, argued that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as presently constituted has become a huge drawback on the nation’s economy, noting that the Bill under consideration was to unbundle it into smaller units to bring it in tandem with international best practices
“We have a lot untapped resources in the sector, and we need to tap them for the growth of our infrastructure”, he said.
Also, deputy whip, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, recalled that the Bill started in the 6th assembly, through 7th and 8th assembly. Why can’t it sail through. It now a responsibility on us to see it through. Those stalling the progress of this country need to know that enough is enough,” the lawmaker said.
After several other contributions in support of its passage, as well as unanimous affirmative voice votes, Speaker Femi Gbajabialmila referred the Bill to the House’s Ad hoc Committee on the PIB, for further legislative action.
