National Assembly to pass PIB April, says petroleum minister

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), currently before the National Assembly , will be passed in April, the Minister of State of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has said.

This is coming few weeks after TheNewsGuru (TNG) organised a one-day colloquium as an intervention to aid understanding of the issues involved and to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Mr Sylva stated this Thursday while briefing State House newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shortly before he announced that the Senate will embark on three weeks Easter break on Wednesday, Mr Lawan said committees working on the PIB will ensure that the report is submitted upon resumption in April and the Senate will make sure it is passed.

The same applies for committees working on the constitution review and other important legislations.

Mr Lawan has repeatedly expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth working relationship with the Executive on crucial matters including the PIB which is expected to reform Nigeria’s oil industry.

The minister told journalists that the Executive is ready to give the National Assembly all the necessary support to ensure the bill is passed by April.

The PIB is currently at the final stages at the National Assembly. The Senate joint Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream and Gas concluded its public hearing on the bill in January.

Many stakeholders present at the hearing raised several concerns ranging from higher operating expenditure to gender representation.