‘Vested interests killing PIB’

According to the discussants, it is in the overall interest of Nigerians to get the bill passed, calling the people to rise above their differences for the development of the nation.
The discussion programme which centred around the PIB, featured opinion leaders like Senator Solomon Ewuga, APC Nasarawa, Jaye Gaskia, the National Coordinator Protest to Power Movement, Co-convener  of Say No Campaign, Zumunta Machunga-Disu, Natural Resource Consultant, Mannir Dan-Ali, Editor-in-Chief, Media Trust Limited, Dapo Olorunyomi, Editor-in-Chief at Premium Times Abuja and  popular Blogger Japheth Omojuwa.
While some of the panelists pointed out clearly the dangers of excessive powers vested on the petroleum minister in the bill, others were critical of the duplications in the bill.  
“I would rather call the PIB what it really is: the petroleum minister’s bill. The PIB doesn’t offer a step forward,” said Japhet Omojuwa .
“No doubt, the PIB has good intentions but there are too many gaps, duplication of efforts and positions,” noted Machunga-Disu.
Ewuga said: “NNPC board has not met because the minister is chairman and too busy, why create another law with same mistakes?”
Gaskia called on the legislators and opposition parties to take a definite stand of the PIB.
He said: “Legislators should take the lead. If they are against parts of the PIB, why not come up with an alternative. What are the political parties’ positions? This is the 2nd assembly trying to pass this bill. I think we should pass the bill now, instead of holding it longer.”