President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has reiterated the commitment of the 8th Senate towards the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bills, (PIB). He emphasized the need to adopt exhaustive dialogues as a way of breaking the impasse and take on issues on which consensus can be established as a means of getting the bill out of the legislative mill.
Speaking when he played host to the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor and his team in his office on Wednesday, Saraki said the Senate will continue to embrace dialogue to fastrack the easy passage of the bill.
He pointed out that the PIB remain a priority in the Senate, "we have to engage discussion and dialogue. We can break the jinx which can only be achieved devoid of politics. PIB is a priority in this Senate."
Senator Saraki said politics and other controversial issues though very important, should be minimized in the process for now, "we will break down the bulkiness of the bill and tackle all the grey areas."
Taking cognizance of the environmental hazard, gas flaring and remuneration to host communities, he said charged oil companies and other in the industry to do more in addressing these issues. He promised that the senate will be looking at forging with the stakeholders a lasting solution that will deal with the problem.
The Senate President assured that on the part of the Senate, "we will continue to come up with legislation that will make our country an investment destination and provide conducive environment for businesses to thrives."
Reacting, SPDC Managing Director, Okunbor congratulated the Senate President on his successful election while pledging unflinching support and cooperation to the National Assembly.
He opined that the survival of petroleum industry will depend to a large extent on the passage of a PIB that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.
Bamikole Omishore
Media Office of the President of the Senate
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