Senate counters minister, says PIB debate opens Tuesday

The Senate, on Thursday, dismissed claims that it had shifted work on the Petroleum Industry Bill to the first quarter of next year.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had told newsmen earlier this week that the lawmakers had postponed deliberations on the PIB to focus on the 2021 Appropriation Bill.

• N/Assembly pushes PIB deliberations to 2021
• Imperative of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)

But the Senate, on Thursday, said it would debate the bill on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Speaking during plenary, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said early debate on the bill was expected to avert any delay in consideration.

Lawan said the critical piece of legislation, after the debate on the floor by lawmakers, would then pass for second reading and be referred to the Joint Committees on Petroleum and Gas for further legislative work.