Reps minority leader: PIA has robust legal instruments to transform Nigeria’s oil industry

Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the house of representatives, says the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) contains “robust legal instruments” that can transform the oil industry in the country.

Elumelu said the minority caucus in the lower chamber will intensify its legislative duties to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the oil sector.

In a statement issued on Saturday by Tony Ayaegbunam, senior legislative aide to the minority leader, Elumelu stated this at the end of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2021, in Houston, United States, on Friday.

On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the much-anticipated PIB.

Before the president’s assent, the bill was also a subject of controversy, especially during passage in both chambers of the national assembly.

Some opposition lawmakers and major some stakeholders from the oil-producing communities had argued that the percentage earmarked for the communities is not enough, owing to the negative impact of oil exploration in those communities.

But Elumelu said despite its shortcomings, the PIA can enhance the petroleum industry if the law is effectively implemented.

He said the minority caucus will  “intensify its legislative roles to ensure greater accountability in the sector, particularly in the context of the recently enacted Petroleum Industry Law (PIL)”.

According to Elumelu, despite its certain shortcomings, which require further amendments, the “PIL presents robust legal instruments that can guarantee enhanced operations in the midstream and downstream sectors of the industry, if effectively implemented and monitored”.

He said “the OTC, as a capacity building forum, afforded us the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals, industry leaders, policy makers and investment partners on global best practices for greater productivity and transparency in the energy sector.

“The Minority caucus will be leveraging on the gains of the conference to further deepen our efforts towards expanding the productivity in the sector with emphasis on opportunities in local refining as well as investments in by-product and associated markets so as to achieved our full capacity in the industry,” he said.

The lawmaker said such effort will cover opportunities missed by Nigeria in pipelines, refining, petrochemicals, crude and product tankers, local distribution as well as other offshore and onshore energy ventures.

He added that it will expand the country’s national revenue inflow and will create employment and investment opportunities for economic recovery.

Elumelu said the minority caucus will commence critical legislative processes including possible amendment to the PIA when the house resumes sitting.