The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Austen Oniwon, has called on members of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry to partner with the Corporation to ensure the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Mr. Oniwon made the call on Monday, when the new Managing Director of Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited, Mr Philip (Xinmin) Wu, visited him in his office in Abuja.

He stressed the need for cooperation among all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, in order to pass the legislation that would strengthen the petroleum sector for the better.

“We really need to close rank to close all the possible gaps in the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly so that we can get a good law that we would all be proud of. This is because we may not have another opportunity to amend our petroleum laws for another 50 years,” Mr. Oniwon argued.

The NNPC helmsman noted that the changes in the existing laws were necessary and long overdue in view of the dynamism of the industry in the prevailing period.

Mr. Oniwon urged Addax Petroleum and other oil companies in the country to key into the Local Content initiative, noting that the law is part of Federal Government’s effort to provide employment for the teeming unemployed youths across the country, noting that the initiative was a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

Reiterating the Corporation’s support for Addax Petroleum, he urged the company to focus on developing its gas potential in support of the Federal Government’s aspiration on increasing power generation and supply in the country.

In his response, the Addax’ new chief executive, Mr. Wu, expressed his company’s commitment to the Local Content initiative and domestic gas obligation, while also congratulating Mr. Oniwon on his appointment.