The Green and the Red Chambers of the legislative arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria are closing ranks to ensure quick passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.
The PIB, which was originally introduced in December 2008, has undergone numerous revisions and has been the subject of intense debate and backstage schemes by interest groups, including the multinational oil corporations.
Immediate past Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan presented a new version of the PIB to the seventh session of the National Assembly on July 18, 2012 for consideration and enactment. Action on it has been on a snail speed since then.
Alhassan Doguwa, Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the bill, however, said on Tuesday that in order to avoid the mistakes of the past, the House is working in synergy with the Senate to ensure early passage of the controversial PIB.
Doguwa, who stated this when they paid a courtesy visit on Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, noted that the Senate has passed the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, while it has undergone the first and second reading at the House of Representatives awaiting passage.
The National Assembly, he said, ”is committed to delivering on this national assignment because of its relevance to the host communities and the development of the oil and gas sector.
Doguwa said a retreat on the PIB was holding in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital city because of the strategic importance of the state to the petroleum industry.
Governor Wike said when passed and diligently implemented, the legislation said the bill, which has been segmented into components for easier administration and passage, will resolve majority of the developmental and environmental challenges facing oil-bearing communities.
Wike urged the House ad-hoc panel to ensure that they tackle critical issues on the bill comprehensively to avoid further crisis when they pass it, lamenting that ”the oil producing communities have suffered untold hardship which must be addressed holistically.
“Our people have suffered so much. When people don’t understand what we experience, the criticise needlessly. I don’t think you will take lightly our challenges.
“I think this bill will cure a lot of environmental challenges in the Niger Delta. I urge this committee to put into consideration our terrain as you conclude on this bill.”
He then noted that the Niger Delta environment is highly polluted because of oil and gas operations in the area, pointing out that the Federal Government must invest in the resolution of these issues.