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After a 20-year journey, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) on Thursday crossed a major landmark as the two chambers of the National Assembly considered the reports of their respective committees on the bill.
The beginning of the bill could be traced to the Oil and Gas Reforms Committee (OGRC) constituted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. The report of the committee formed parts of the bill which was first introduced to the National Assembly by former President Umar Yar’Adua’s administration in 2008.
Mr Yar’Adua had constituted a committee on the implementation of the OGRC report. A subcommittee chaired by Yinka Omorogbe drafted the bill but that particular bill was marred by controversy. Segun Adeniyi, the spokesperson of the late president, detailed some of the controversies that bedevilled the bill in his book: Power, Politics and Death.
BREAKING: Lawmakers Scamper For Safety As Fight Breaks Out At House of Reps PIB Public Hearing
As the fight broke out, lawmakers and other participants started scampering for safety with proceedings put on hold.
by Saharareporters, New York
Jan 28, 2021
Room 028 of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly Complex, venue of the public hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has been thrown into pandemonium following a fight by some attendants, Vanguard reports.
The individuals were said to be members of the oil producing communities who had come to make presentations on the bill.
The fight broke out exactly 12:10 pm when the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on PIB, Hon. Mohammed Monguno, who had been moderating the proceedings, called the host communities to make their presentations.
Gbajabiamila criticises past administrations for failing to pass PIB
Mr Gbajabiamila says the bill will be passed by April.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed disappointment with the inability of successive administrations in the country to ensure the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.
He said it was difficult to explain why the bill did not pass despite collective interest by all for the passage of the bill.
Mr Gbajabiamila stated this on Wednesday while declaring the public hearing on PIB open in Abuja.
The hearing was by the House Ad-hoc Committee on PIB.