Exclusive: Finally! Presidency speaks on PIB bill

– The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been lingering in the National Assembly since the return of democracy to Nigeria

– Presidency has finally spoken on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill

Ita Enang, the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly matters said that the Presidency is still yet to introduce the executive version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

He disclosed this in an exclusive interview with that National Assembly correspondent of NAIJ.com when asked when the bill will be sent to the upper house for consideration.

“The ministry of petroleum and all Nigerians comply and cooperate with the legislature in respect of any bill they introduce.

“But Mr President has not yet formerly introduced the executive version of the PIB bill on the floor of the Senate.

“The discussions are going on whether it should come as one bill or different bills irrespective of the law,” he said.

READ ALSO: Senate To Abandon Petroleum Industry Bill

It could be recalled that the PIB bill has been in the National Assembly for consideration for over a decade but due to ethnic politics and duplication of the bill, efforts to pass the bill was scuttled.

The House of Representatives in the seventh assembly passed the bill. The-clause-by-clause analysis of the bill was postponed following a string of observations raised by legislators on legal technicalities, the process for the eventual passing of the bill was initiated ending in its passage.

The 368-page document is contained 312 sections and 438 clauses. Clause 209, which deals with revenue sharing formula, and clauses 116 and 119 which deal with the discount of levy on oil companies, had produced much controversy, but the PIB was passed in what seemed to be a hurried process.

However, the Senate on Wednesday, April 13, passed the long awaited bill for first reading on the floor of the Senate after years.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Set To Split Petroleum Industry Bill In 2016

The bill seeks to give the country’s oil and gas industry a comprehensive legal framework and would provide the basis for the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into five independent commercial entities.

The Senate president Bukola Saraki had earlier said the legislature adopted the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as one of their legislative agenda.

Meanwhile, The Senate on Wednesday, June 8, stood down the Petroleum Industry Bill for second reading a second time.

This decision was taken after Ibn Na’Allah, the deputy leader of the Senate read it out on the floor of the Senate to be considered.

The Senate on Tuesday, April 26, ended debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) abruptly after Alasoadura representing Ondo Central senatorial district led the debate.

However, Saraki complained that the document had not been circulated, and suggested that the bill be stood down until members get the document. The bill was, thereafter, stood down to the next legislative day.

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