The Federal Government has inaugurated a special task force to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into an Act of the National Assembly. Minister of Petroleum Resources,
Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who inaugurated the task force in her office at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, recently, explained that the move was to ensure a speedy passage of the bill.
Mrs Alison-Madueke said: "Though the members of the OGIC did a good job, but we have all seen that the bill lacked the requirements of the 6th Assembly and needed to be redefined, and gingered up for speedy and very expedient passage by the 7th Assembly."As a matter of fact, you are all also aware that at the end of the 6th Assembly, there was more than one version going around. So, government expects that the committee will put up all the indices in place to redefine the bill, look at certain sections and include strategic aspects so that we can get it right."
Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma heads the task force as Chairman. Other members of the eight-man body are Sen. Tunde Ogbeha, Sen. Emmanuel Agboti, Sen. M. T. Liman, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Hon. Abdullahi Gumel, Hon. Habeeb Fashinro; and Comrade Peter Esele, President, Trade Union Congress. The Minister said the inauguration of the committee has opened a new chapter for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry as it turns a page for new beginnings. She stated:
"We have listened to the voices of the people of Nigeria when, over the last few weeks, they spoke in unison for accelerated reforms in the Nigerian Oil and gas Industry. These reforms will anchor on new Petroelum Industry Bill (PIB). The special taskforce is saddled with the responsibility of speeding up the process of re-drafting the PIB for President Goodluck Jonathan to present to the National Assembly.
Already, the federal government has assured that the passage of the bill into law will overhaul the oil and gas industry to the country's advantage. The minister also inaugurated a technical committee made up of world best and experienced industry experts in the industry to assist the special taskforce. They are to be chaired by the Director Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Engr Osten Olorunsola. Other members of the technical committee are Chief Sena Anthony, Alh Umar Abba Gana, Mr George Osahon, Mallam I.D.Waziri, Mr Victor Briggs, Dr Francis Adigwe, Mr Victor Oyenkpa and Mr Seyi Bickersteth. According to the Minister, two separate bills were forwarded to the National Assembly in the past but the latest taskforce has been mandated to draft a standard bill that the seventh National Assembly will deliberate on and pass it into law.
"We are taking further steps towards the passage of the PIB to replace all past industry legislations. Despite the challenges we faced in passing the PIB during the 6th National assembly, we must renew our determination to work with the 7th National Assembly under the steady and stable leadership of Sen. David Mark and Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Mrs Alison-Madueke also said that it was for the purpose of ensuring a standard presentation that the federal government decided to appoint outstanding former lawmakers to form the taskforce.
The PIB, which is seen by many as the most critical piece of legislation still waiting to be passed into law by the National Assembly is aimed at transforming the nation's oil industry. The Federal Government had in 2005 set up the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC), which drafted the original PIB.
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