By Emman Ovukporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is not pro-South-South, rather it is a pro-Nigeria law that will benefit all Nigerians, Daniel Reyenieju, a House of Representatives member representing Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State, has said.

Reyenieju, who served in different PIB adhoc-committees, in a chat with Vanguard, said there were several misconceptions about the “oldest Bill” in the National Assembly, claiming it was tilted to favour a particular section of the country.

According to him: “It is very unfortunate that year-in year-out, we keep repeating one issue which ordinarily should have been for the development of this nation, most especially taking into cognisance the fact that the sustainability of the Nigerian economy is predicated on oil; as we are a mono-commodity nation.

So, against that background, one would have expected that anything that has to do with oil in the country should be given the highest of priority. But unfortunately, we have the longest bill in the House since the 6th Assembly, the 7th and now the 8th Assembly, and still nothing tangible seems to have been done about it. It is very worrisome and it gives one cause for concern.

“But having said that, the parliament is really disturbed over this unwholesome development about the PIB.  Although we are not the law court in the judiciary, so it goes slowly, but surely we would arrive at the destination. So,  I am hoping that one day, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are tired with the delay of the PIB, it would definitely become a law in the country in whatever form.

But like I have always said and will continue to repeat this, the law itself has no eyes to see whom to favour. What the law sets out to do is to institute a global best practice in our country to make the oil sector, and our economy the best to actually make our economy grow. As it is, I will not want to say that it has been politicised.”