President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has reiterated the commitment of the Senate towards the conclusive passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) through intensive dialogue amongst senators that will address the bottlenecks that has stalled voting and passage of the bill at the Senate.
The 7th House of Representatives successfully approved its own version of the bill a few days before its valedictory session. The Senate would have to pass its version before both bills would be harmonized by the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly and sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
Speaking when he played host to the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, and his team in his office on Wednesday, Saraki said the Senate would move to fastrack the passage of the jinxed bill, saying it is a priority.
“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.
“We will break down the bulkiness of the bill and tackle all the grey areas,” he assured.
He also spoke on environment challenges of gas flaring and remuneration to host communities, saying the Senate would collaborate with oil companies and other stakeholders to resolve all grievances
Reacting, SPDC Managing Director, Okunbor congratulated the Senate President for his successful election while pledging unflinching support and cooperation to the National Assembly.
He opined that the survival of petroleum industry depended greatly on the passage of PIB.
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