PIB set to Pass Second Reading in the 8th Senate

The controversial Petroleum Industry and Governance bill that scaled the sixth and seventh Senate without success is finally set to pass second reading in the 8^th Senate.

The bill for an act to provide for the Governance and Institutional framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other matters connected therewith sponsored by Senator Omotayo D. Alsoadura (Ondo Central) was set to pass second reading today but was however stalled for lawmakers to study the bill properly.

While presenting the bill for second reading Alasaodura noted that the PIB will create a conducive business environment for petroleum industry and ensure internationalization of Nigeria petroleum industry.

Amidst the presentation various senators made efforts to raise points of order.

In a point of order by the senate minority leader Godswill Akpabio he stated that this is not a bill that will just be read through without thorough examination owing to its important role to the Economy and the nation at large.

Senate President Bukola Saraki presiding over plenary asked the sponsor of the bill to ensure that copies of the bill are distributed to lawmakers with the financial compendium attached and re introduced for consideration.

Recall that on Wednesday 13^th April the Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill passed first reading in the 8^th Senate and a day after it also passed first reading in the House of Representative.

Earlier, Sarki also urged the Senate committee Chairman on agriculture Abdullahi Adamu to fast track plans to schedule a public hearing aimed at tackling perennial problems of farmers and herdsmen.

This followed a point of order raised by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremmadu, he decried the incessant clash by herdsmen and farmers in major regions of the country.