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Senate passes harmonised PIB amid objection

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The Senate, on Thursday, passed the harmonised Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which was made by a conference committee of both chambers of the National Assembly last week.

The PIB harmonised version was submitted for deliberation by the federal lawmakers on Thursday at plenary.

Before the approval of the proposed legislation via voice votes, senators from the South-South geopolitical zone opposed the proposed three per cent equity share for the oil host communities.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, however, persuaded Senator Seriake Dickson to withdraw his threat to lead his colleagues to stage a protest.

An investigation carried out by our journalist on Wednesday showed that both chambers of the National Assembly might have agreed to approve three per cent as equity share for the oil host communities in the nation.

A member of the conference committee had informed our reporter in confidence on Wednesday that the agreement was reached after an intense argument.

He had said, “The National Assembly may stick with the 3 per cent equity share for the host communities, when the Petroleum Industry Bill is eventually laid and discussed on the floor of both chambers tomorrow (Thursday).

“You will recall that when both chambers of the National Assembly deliberated on the PIB report, the House of Representatives approved five per cent while the Senate gave three per cent.

“This differential warranted both chambers to set up harmonisation committee, which would submit its report on Thursday.

“Our committee adopted the Senate recommendation of three per cent for the host communities.”

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