Mark: We must pass PIB before we leave

Delivering a speech at the resumption of plenary sitting of the upper chamber yesterday Senator Mark said that PIB with other important legislation would be passed before the expiration of their tenure in May.“We have a loaded agenda before this 7th Assembly and there are many issues to be addressed before the termination of our […]

Delivering a speech at the resumption of plenary sitting of the upper chamber yesterday Senator Mark said that PIB with other important legislation would be passed before the expiration of their tenure in May.
“We have a loaded agenda before this 7th Assembly and there are many issues to be addressed before the termination of our tenure. These include, passing the Petroleum industry Bill (PIB), the phenomenal fall in oil prices and its impact on our budgetary commitments, ensuring a free, fair, transparent and credible election, favourably resolving the insurgency in the North East, the consideration of the reports of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the management, welfare and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons as well as the welfare of families of deceased members of the armed forces,” the Senate president said.
According to him, the 7th Senate should endeavour to pass the lingering PIB as they “are conscious of the concerns of various stakeholders (Nigerians and foreigners).
“It has taken long but we should do all we can to pass it. When passed, the PIB will have profound impact on the future direction of our economy and will be one of the legacies of this Assembly. Although, we have a critical and congested legislative timetable ahead, we must be thorough in our work,” he added.
The PIB was first forwarded to the parliament by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in 2008 but was withdrawn by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, revised and re-transmitted back to the legislature in July 2012.
Senate empanelled four committees to work on the proposal with public hearings held in 2013 but the committee under the leadership of senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP, Bayelsa) is yet to turn its report almost two after even though it was given four weeks to do so.