President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja yesterday forwarded the final copy of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the National Assembly, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke had said.
Madueke made this known after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, noting that what was sent to the National Assembly was the only authentic copy of the bill and that it contained some security features to guard against circulation of fake copies.
According to her, an electronic copy of the document would be available on the website of the Petroleum Ministry yesterday (Wednesday) evening.
Her words, “There is no other Petroleum Industry Bill for 2012. We have seen various adaptations appearing in the media, particularly online, that did not come from the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are unaware of who posted them on these sites.
“There is only one Petroleum Industry Bill 2012 which has been released today for the first time to the National Assembly and will, therefore, be available on the Ministry of Petroleum Resources site by this evening (yesterday) for down-loading.
“You will notice that inside the bill, there are water marks including a signing across each page that says the Petroleum Industry Bill for 2012 and the Coat of Arms of the nation and this is the only Petroleum Industry Bill that we have produced.
“Therefore, all other versions or adaptations are not valid and have never been. I will like all Nigerians to please take note.”
Speaking further, the minister noted that the various stakeholders “had to review it in great detail and rework the bill to reflect as much as possible the entire spectrum of what we considered will be the substantial strategic framework for the petroleum industry and the amalgamation of over 16 laws in the oil and gas sector, that will carry this nation in that sector for the years to come.
“This is, therefore, the definitive petroleum industry bill and we expect that it will receive due consideration in the National Assembly,” she concluded.
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