NASS commences work on Petroleum Industry Bill

dimeji akinloye

July 19, 2016 9:56 AM

He said that the legislature was determined to draft a law for the industry that would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives

The Speaker, House of Representatives,

Dogara gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja during the National Stakeholders Summit on Petroleum Industry Reforms organised by the House Committees on Petroleum.

He said: "the need to make consensus and lend voice to long suppressed agitations in the drafting and consideration of petroleum industry bill informed our decision to organise this stakeholder’s summit.

"We are optimistic that this approach will provide the crucial platform to enable us cross pollinate ideas and ventilate our positions on certain contentious issues, regardless how vexed they may be.

"You can rest assure that our work at the National Assembly is to do your good intention."

The speaker said that the 8th Assembly was not unaware of several failed attempts at redeeming the petroleum industry by its predecessors.

He said that the Petroleum Industry Bill had gone down a long, tortuous and chequered road.

"Most of us have been co-travelers on the journey to pass the bill into law and have the requisite experience to avoid any pitfalls ahead.

"Hence, the resolve to seek proper consultations with you and build confidence amongst us," he added.

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Dogara expressed concern that poor management of the petroleum industry had left much to be desired with only a few elite Nigerians benefiting from it.

He assured that all these issues would be addressed during the summit.

dimeji akinloye