PIB in circulation fake, says Nigeria’s presidency

Nigeria’s Presidency has alerted the nation that the purported Petroleum Industry Bill now is circulation is fake.

In a press release signed by presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati on Monday evening, the Presidency said the PIB which was discussed and passed by the Federal Executive Council, FEC last week is still being fine tuned by some government agencies.

The full statement reads: “The Presidency has noted with concern and dismay that a document alleged to be the new Petroleum Industry Bill is now in circulation and has even been published on some websites.

“Before the country is assailed once again with talk about the promulgation of this very important national law being hindered yet again by the existence of multiple versions, the Presidency wishes to categorically disown the document currently being circulated and published as the new Petroleum Industry Bill.

“Following the consideration and approval of its contents by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting last week, the authentic new Petroleum Industry Bill is still being finalised by relevant government departments and readied to be forwarded to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Upon its delivery to the National Assembly under the official Seal of the President, the authentic new Petroleum Industry Bill will be available to all interested parties.

“The general public and all stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are therefore advised to ignore the document currently in circulation as it is totally fake and lacking in authenticity”, the Presidency concluded in the statement.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan on Monday also approved the constitution of a new Board for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

According Abati, the recomposition was in furtherance of Jonathan’s commitment to reform and the improvement of the oil and gas industry for the benefit of Nigerians.

In a statement he issued on the re composition, Abati said the new Board would be made up of the Minister of Petroleum Resources as the Chairman; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance as member as well as the Group Managing Director, NNPC as member.

Other members of the re-constituted board, as announced in the statement, are Alhaji Abdullahi Bukar; a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Steven Oronsaye; Prof. Olusegun Okunnu; Mr. Daniel Wadzani; Mr. Bernard Otti (Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts); and Dr. Peter Nmadu (Group Executive Director, Corporate Services).