The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has said the long awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be passed by the House by the month of April, 2021.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gbajabiamila stated this on Wednesday at a public hearing on the PIB co-hosted by the Speaker and the House ad-hoc committee on PIB, chaired by Rep. Tahir Monguno.
The PIB is a bill that seeks to provide for legal, governance, regulatory fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, and the development of host communities.
On the 24th, November 2020, the PIB was debated by the House, it passed second reading and was referred to the ad-hoc committee on PIB.
Today 27th, January 2020, the House of Representatives welcomed stakeholders to a 2-day public hearing of the PIB.
“A lot of work has gone into the preparation of this bill but it’s not straight jacketed, the idea of public hearing is to have interests that may have not been accommodated prior to the introduction to the Bill to lend their voices.
“We intend to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill by April. That is a commitment we have made. Some may call it a tall order, but we will do it and we will do it with every sense of responsibility without compromising the thoroughness of the work that will be done.
“I thank the chairman/the committee for the dedication and efforts thus far. I have confidence that they will deliver on this critical National Assignment within the time we have set. I look forward to presiding over the consideration of the committee’s report,” Gbajabiamila said.