PIGB PASSAGE: VICTORY FOR NIGERIANS—ANEEJ
26th May, 2017
Press release
Benin City…The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has commended the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the passage of a segment of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB and says that this milestone is a credit to the progressive disposition of the federal government, to carry out far-reaching reforms to turn the nation’s Oil and Gas sector around for the good of all citizens.
‘’ We call on the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo to sign the passed Bill into law without delay. To ensure that the excitement of the moment does not get lost, the federal government should consolidate on the passage of this bill by accelerating the passage of other aspects of the bill which directly affects citizens in the Niger Delta region so as to bring succour and development directly to the host communities in the region’, ANEEJ Executive Director, the Rev David Ugolor has stated.
The Rev Ugolor added that in taking into account the importance of the PIGB for efficient regulation of the oil sector, other aspects which are key to addressing the agricultural, environmental and other economic challenges bedevilling the people living in the region should be a matter of urgency and priority. He stated as well that the speedy passage of other aspects of the bill will further consolidate the economic recovery plan embarked upon by the federal government. ANEEJ wants the Senate to consider that Section 62 of the procurement industry governance bill exempts the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, from the public procurement as well as the Fiscal Responsibility Act
Since 2004, ANEEJ has been at the fore front campaigning for the passage of PIB in Nigeria. It is equally championing the fight against pertinent and recurring cases of grand corruption traceable to the flaws and inconsistencies common in the downstream sector of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
It would be recalled that as founding Chair of Publish What You Pay, ANEEJ put the issue of the Passage of Petroleum Industry Bill on the front burner of national discuss with several advocacy activities. In 2013, ANEEJ had had recourse to drag the Federal government to court over the lukewarm approach it had taken with the draft Petroleum Industry Bill and the bad management of the nation’s Oil and Gas sector. In partnership with stakeholders and with strong support from the DFID, ANEEJ successfully prosecuted a 15-month Advocacy against Impunity in the Oil Subsidy Regime in Nigeria project. ANEEJ has eventually followed this programme up with another 4-month intervention aimed at Strengthening the nation’s Assets Recovery Campaign.