After Stormy Session, House Steps Down PIB
Senate adopts committee's report, retains 3% for host communities
The House of Representatives was yesterday forced to step down the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) over the reduction in the five per cent recommended for host communities earlier passed by the House following protests from some southern lawmakers.
But the Senate yesterday passed the conference committee report of the Senate and House of Representatives on the PIB and retained the three per cent for host communities.
However, the report from the conference Committee, which harmonised the two versions earlier passed was laid and considered at the plenary yesterday by the House.
Even before the commencement of the plenary, the lawmakers were engaged in a shouting match with some southern lawmakers shouting that they should be given five per cent after news filtered in that the conference committee recommended three per cent as against the five per cent passed by the House.
It was during this row that the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila made his way into the Chamber, but his presence did nothing to stop the rowdy session.
When it appears it would be difficult to achieve decorum, the Speaker directed that the House should go into an emergency Executive session which started at 12:25 pm and ended 1:20 p.m.
After the Executive session ended, Gbajabiamila called on the Chairman of the Conference Committee from the House and Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed Mongunu to lay the report, but the lawmaker later sought the permission of the House to step down the laying of the report.
While journalists were not informed of what transpired at the Executive session, the stepping down of the clause by-clause consideration of PIB was an indication that they were not able to reach a compromise on the percentage for the host communities.
However, Gbajabiamila has assured that the PIB will shortly be transmitted to the President after proper harmonisation with the Senate.
The Speaker disclosed this while delivering his speech to mark the end of the legislative year.
He said after multiple failed attempts over two decades, the PIB has passed both Chambers of the National Assembly and would be transmitted shortly to the President after proper harmonisation with the Senators
Gbajabiamila stated: "Through it all, the 9th House of Representatives has carried on its constitutional duty to make laws for the good government of the country.