House Of Reps Pass PIB Without Minority Caucus

The House of Representatives has passed the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB on Friday.

The lawmakers adopted the conference committee report of the bill, voting 3 percent for host communities in the oil-producing areas.

However, the Minority caucus members were not present during the passage of the bill.

The lawmakers had staged a walkout over the refusal of Deputy Speaker, Ahmad Wase to revisit the controversial clause 52 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

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Speaking before the passage of the bill, Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila said that it was unfortunate that the Minority caucus led by their leader, Ndidi Elumelu, staged a walkout.

“I need to explain the rationale behind the laying of this report. Yesterday, I stepped down the laying of this report so that we get to the Senate and see how it o resolve the issue.

“But unfortunately, by the time we got to the Senate, they had already resolved and taken a decision. So, there was nothing that we can do.

“It is left for us to deliberate on the report, accept it or reject it. This PIB will not go the same way of others. It is unfortunate that our Colleagues are not here. If there is any amendment to be done, that will be done in the future,” he said.