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Fri, Mar

PIB: National Assembly Postponed Deliberation Until 2021

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The National Assembly has deferred deliberation on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) until the first quarter of 2021. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva while speaking to newsmen on a sideline after two days Executive-Legislature Leadership Retreat held at the State House in Abuja yesterday. The Minister said the retreat came at a crucial time like this when the Petroleum Industry Bill has just been presented to the National Assembly. According to him, the National Assembly has responded that they need to work on the 2021 appropriation bill which needs to be submitted before January next year for presentation, subsequently, they would start considering the PIB.

In his statement it partly reads; “I believe that, when all of us understand what we are required to do for this country, I think it will help the passage, quick passage of the bill.

“What the National Assembly has told us in our engagement with them is that the PIB which is a very important piece of law is coming at a time when they will be considering the Appropriation Bill. And you know that this Appropriation Bill will be passed before the first of January.

He continued, “They have to focus on the Appropriation Bill at this time. I think that is going to delay deliberations on the PIB in the first quarter of next year. And we believe that, then, it will be passed because there is consensus around the passage of the PIB”.

While speaking on the subsidy removal, the Minister said the issue of subsidy is a forgone matter in the country; instead, the government is set to use the money instead for other meaningful development for the generality of citizens.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said both the Legislature and the Executive are tirelessly working towards fulfilling their campaign promises they made to Nigerians.

He revealed the quest to actualize such promises comes with a price like friction between the two arms of government in the process of ensuring they both exercise their constitutional roles.

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