HAPPENING NOW: PIB sparks commotion in National Assembly

The National Assembly (NASS) was thrown into commotion on Thursday as the House of Representatives was forced into a closed door session over considerations of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Senate was not left out in the commotion that ensued over considerations of the PIB upon its return from the PIB harmonisation committee.

The commotion started as a result of reduction to 3% of PIB funds for Host Communities, forcing the House to go into closed doors after a shouting match as some lawmakers insisted on 5% for Host Communities.

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the Senate had adopted and sustained the 3% equity fund for Host Communities in the harmonised version of the PIB brought back to the chamber.

This was after consideration of the conference committee report with the House of Representatives.

Recall that the Senate passed the PIB on July 1, allocating three per cent to the host communities after the House of Representatives had passed the bill and allocated five per cent to the communities.

Members of the House of Representatives alleged betrayal by the PIB harmonisation committee for accepting 3 percent instead of 5 percent agreed for oil producing communities.

As at 12.20 pm, shouts by majorly Niger Delta Reps rented the air as they waited for the arrival of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Details shortly…