But for different interests in the Nigerian economy, the Petroleum
Industry Bill (PIB), which has gone through several alterations, would
have been passed into law several years ago.
Indeed, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke,
had explained that the PIB would help to reform the way that Nigeria’s
oil and gas industry is regulated, if passed into law, without further
delay.
This is evident through the several promises that have been made by
the minister in the last few years that the bill would be passed,
thereby raising the hope of operators, especially indigenous players,
only for it to be delayed further.
After 12 years spanning three different administrations, some
powerful forces are now bent on scuttling the passage of the bill, which
has in itself undergone serious metamorphosis.
What the PIB stands for
The PIB seeks to align the management of the nation’s petroleum
resources in accordance with the universal principles of good governance
and sustainable development, including bringing the industry
legislative framework under a single comprehensive umbrella.