Reps pass PIB for second reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading the new Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB), transmitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2020.

The legislation entitled ‘A bill for an act to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host community and for related matters, (HB.1061)’, amongst others is proposing the establishment of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission to be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of upstream petroleum operations.

The bill also seeks the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act by the Minister of Petroleum.

It will also lead to the replacement of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) with a new agency to be known as Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA. This shall be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of midstream and upstream petroleum operations in the industry.

Leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, called on the lawmakers to support the passage of the bill.

He said, ”Permit me to take the house down memory lane. This was a bill that began in the 6th assembly. Unfortunately, this bill has not been able to see the light of day. Whatever controversies surrounding the bill, the bill is now before us. It is my hope that members will look at this bill and ensure it is passed.”

Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, said the bill’s passage was long overdue.

He said, “I rise to support this PIB. The bill is long overdue. The essence is to remove some uncertainties. The essence is to institutionalize the ease of doing business.

“If passed, the bill will institutionalise good governance and ease of doing business. It will attract investors if passed fast. Our four refineries are bad. That’s why we import from Niger when we are supposed to be giving to Niger. We should be giving Niger and not us importing from Niger. We need to pass this PIB as soon as possible.”

Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, said the bill, if passed, would cure the fact of Nigeria importing petroleum products from Niger Republic.

He said, “I am for it. If Nigeria has four refineries that are not functioning, if the PIB will cure it, I am for it. If the opportunity we had in the 70s, 80s will come back, I am for it. If we pass the Electoral Bill and also PIB, I will say that we have done a wonderful job. We should pay every attention to this bill. We should make sure that all the landmines that will come along the way should be jettisoned.”