PIB will change the economic fortune of Nigeria – Senate President

The  Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has assured Nigerians that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which is before the National Assembly will change the fortune of the country by the time it is passed into law.

“The PIB is going to be a piece of legislation that in our estimation will change the economic fortune of Nigeria and of course improve the earnings by our businesses who are here and we want to attract many more investments into the oil and gas industry in Nigeria,” Lawan said.

The Senate president spoke in his office while playing host to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.

Lawan said the ninth Assembly would ensure the passage of the PIB as promised, though he pointed out that the bill had “suffered from a demonic influence” by refusing passage since 2008 when it was first introduced to the sixth Assembly.

He said: “We are so confident that we will be able to pass this bill by April. We want it signed into law by May and we want every stakeholder to be a winner.”

The Senate president was also upbeat about the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill now being processed by the Assembly.

 “I want to assure Nigerians that we have a target and we think it’s a realistic target. It’s doable and we have the determination and capacity to effect the amendment (to Electoral Act) before we go on summer break in June/July and our committee has done so much work.”

Suzan O/VANG