Buhari Seeks Amendments To PIA

In PIA 2021, President Buhari has urged the 9th Assembly to examine the administrative structure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Upstream Regulatory Commission. Although the joint National Assembly committees working on the PIB had previously proposed a 5% equity stake for the development of host societies, the

Senate led the charge to reduce it to 3%, while the House of Representatives adopted the panel's recommendation. However, the National Assembly approved the decision of a conference committee formed by the presiding officers of both chambers, which set the equity share at 3%. This generated controversy as senators from the South-south geopolitical zone kick against it and requested the President to resolve the impasse by seeking an amendment to increase the equity share to five per cent. However, the new amendments proposed by the President did not address the concerns of the Southsouth lawmakers, rather it centred on the need to increase the numbers of the non-executive board members of each of the regulatory agencies from two to six, to capture the six geopolitical zones. Buhari wrote, “The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provided for the appointment of two non executive members for the board of the two regulatory institutions. “I am of the view that this membership limitation has not addressed the principle of balanced geopolitical representation of the Country. “Therefore, I pray for the intervention of the 9th Assembly to correct this oversight in the interest of our national unity. “Needless to add that this amendment will provide a sense of participation and inclusion to almost every section of the Country in the decision making of strategic institutions such as oil industry. “if this amendment is approved, it will now increase the number of the non executive members from two to six that is one person from each of the six geopolitical zones of the Country” President Buhari also removed the Ministers of Finance and Petroleum Resources from the board of the two agencies, stating that the two Ministers already have constitutional responsibilities of either supervision or inter-governmental relations. The President said, “They can continue to perform such roles without being on the board. “It is also important to note that administratively, the representatives of the ministries in the board will be directors – being the same rank with the directors in the institution “This may bring some complications in some decision making especially on issues of staff related matters.” Buhari noted that the appointments of the Executive Directors who would be in charge of the seven departments in the NMDPRA should not be subjected to Senate confirmation since they are civil servants who were promoted in the course of their careers. He said, “The Act has made provision for seven departmental heads in the Authority to be known as executive directors. “Their appointment (according to the PIA) will also be subjected to Senate confirmation. This category of officers are civil servants and not political appointees. “The Senate is invited to note the need to exempt serving public officers from the established confirmation process for political appointments. “This will ensure effective management of the regulatory institutions through uniform implementation of public service rules for employees of the Authority. “In the future, these positions will obviously be filled by the workers in the Authority.” He added that the proposed amendment would represent a 44 per cent expansion of the board site as a result of the increase of the board membership – from nine to 13 members Buhari said, “This composition would strengthen the institutions and guarantee national spread and also achieve the expected policy contributions.”

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Greater action, investment and embracing natural solutions are crucial to reversing biodiversity decline by 2030, the five UK statutory nature agencies say in a new report published today (Wednesday 22 September). It marks the first anniversary of the Leader’s Pledge for Nature, which has been signed by over 80 Heads of State from around the world. Natural England (NE), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Naturescot, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Jointnatureconservationcommittee (JNCC) have together launched a new report – Nature Positive 2030 – which sets out how the UK can meet its commitments in the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, and ensure that nature’s recovery plays a critical role in our path to Net Zero. Findings from the joint report shows that achieving nature commitments will deliver huge benefits to human health, well-being and our economy, and will require transformative change across society and in the way we protect, value, use and engage with nature. The Nature Positive 2030 report draws on a wealth of experience and innovation in the UK to present solutions that can be scaled up to achieve change. The report showcases the importance of utilising natural solutions to tackle climate change, highlighting the essential role of nature in helping us survive our uncertain future, and emphasising that nature’s ability to do so depends upon biodiverse ecosystems that are resilient to the changes ahead. Delaying action for nature will lead to greater economic costs, and increased environmental risks. The report also stresses the important role of nature in supporting human health and well-being, as demonstrated through the Covid-19 pandemic. Nature Positive 2030 sets out the priority actions and achievable steps for becoming “Nature Positive” – reversing biodiversity decline – by 2030, and concludes that we are currently not on track to becoming nature positive by 2030, but that this aim is achievable. The report recommends nine changes that can be delivered rapidly, by national and local governments, landowners, businesses and others that will have particularly high impacts on reversing biodiversity loss this decade. These are: Ensuring wildlife thrives within protected areas on land and at sea. Better conserve wildlife habitats outside protected areas, in particular those areas identified as parts of nature networks or as important blue/green infrastructure. Investing in habitat restoration and creation to strengthen nature networks that deliver for biodiversity and climate change. Ensuring outcomes for nature are integrated in development plans on land and at sea. Tackling atmospheric and diffuse water pollution, especially from nitrogen and ammonia. Developing the market for green finance. Deploying naturebased solutions for climate change mitigation by default. Developing the UK’S evidence base so that it is ready to support the larger, transformative changes underway. Adopting targets to become nature positive. The report stresses the need to put our ambitions for nature recovery on the same footing as those for climate change – those individuals, businesses, cities and governments that are striving to become Net Zero need to become nature positive too, including through adopting targets for nature, and taking nature positive actions such as through establishing wildlife habitat on land-holdings and gardens, ensuring nature is enhanced through supply chains, and using the power in our wallets to choose naturefriendly options in what we buy. The priority actions identified in Nature Positive 2030 are about building a nature-rich future, with restored ecosystems that are more resilient to climate change and provide more benefits to more people. Natural England chair, Tony Juniper, said: Nature recovery is within our grasp – we can become Nature Positive by 2030, provided we act now. We need to go high nature and low carbon, tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change together, and today’s publication sets out how we can do this. In the past year Heads of State from many countries, including from the UK, have made hugely important commitments to recover nature, in recognition that this is essential to our health, well-being and a sustainable, prosperous economy. Achieving these commitments will require transformative change across society and in the way we protect, value, use and engage with nature. We believe these commitments are achievable and our report shows how we can succeed in becoming Nature Positive by 2030 as an essential milestone on the path to full nature recovery. Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: Restoring nature is our primary defence against climate breakdown, and this report demonstrates the collective ambition of all four nations of the UK to do just that. While our window of opportunity is small, we know that real change can happen when governments, groups and individuals work together to protect our climate and natural world. Natural Resources Wales is committed to that effort. We hope this report stimulates crucial conversations and triggers a wave of action amongst decision-makers around the world, providing an example to others of what it means to achieve environmental growth for the benefit of future generations. Naturescot Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska, said: It is everyone’s responsibility to be nature positive. We know the twin crises of climate change and nature loss are inextricably linked – we do both, or do neither. Scotland is stepping up to the challenges we face so that we can deliver our ambition of a nature positive future. So, as we prepare to host COP26 in Glasgow, this is a crucial time to take bold, positive action for both nature and the climate. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Chairman, Professor Colin Galbraith, said: This is a key year for nature, climate change and for our