The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila says the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), will help correct past mistakes in oil-producing communities.
The Speaker disclosed this during his opening remarks at the Public Hearing on PIB, organized by the Ad hoc committee.
The PIB contains the host communities development component.
“Let me also reiterate, with this Bill we have the ability as a country to finally meet the obligations owed to the communities that host oil and gas exploration and transportation activities and pay a high environmental price as a consequence.
“There have been various prior attempts to meet this obligation. Let us remember those attempts and be motivated by the knowledge that we can now correct past mistakes and fulfil the responsibility we owe these communities once and for all.”
Gbajabiamila also revealed that the House will pass the bill by April, while also criticising previous governments for failing to pass the PIB.
He noted that the bill will help to optimize the oil sector in Nigeria.
