We’ll Prioritise Passage of PIGB –Reps

• We’ll Prioritise Passage of PIGB –Reps

The 9th National Assembly has vowed to give priority to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill in order to consolidate and reposition the oil and gas industry for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this commitment during a visit by the outgoing Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, to introduce the oil firm’s incoming GMD, Mele Kyari, to the Speaker.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said Gbajabiamila pledged to get the National Assembly to work further on the bill to give it a speedy passage.

The Speaker, according to the statement, commended Baru for stabilising the oil and gas industry during his tenure as Group Managing Director of NNPC.

Gbajabiamila was quoted as saying, “I thank you for working harmoniously with us, there were no fuel shortages, the usual scandals associated with the oil industry were absent throughout your tenure.”

He further pledged the readiness of the 9th National Assembly to sustain the existing cordial relationship with NNPC adding that “as long as oil and gas remain the mainstay of the economy, we must get the industry right.”

On the incoming GMD of the oil firm, the Speaker described him as a highly respected industry professional whose reputation precedes his name, adding that “I have no doubt based on what I have heard, that you will definitely make it.”

Baru earlier congratulated the Speaker on his election, as he promised that the NNPC, even after his exit, would remain focused on delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians and also sustain constructive engagement with the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders.

The GMD assured Gbajabiamila of the new NNPC management’s capacity to take the oil and gas industry to the next level.

“I thank you for supporting me, I have no doubt that you will equally support the incoming GMD. We thank Mr President for appointing him and he will surely not disappoint,” Baru said.

He said the visit was in appreciation of the cordial relationship he had with the National Assembly throughout his tenure.