NLC Seeks Passage Of PIB

The Nigerian Labour
Congress (NLC) has called for the quick  passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.
In a statement issued by the union, it called on the Federal Government to ensure the passage of the PIB into law  after over  five years of the bill lying  at the National Assembly.
According to the Union’s National President Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, the bill should be passed  before the end of March for the benefit  of  the nation’s Oil and Gas sector.
The Union lamented the continued used of the 44-year-old Petroleum Act to regulate the oil and as industry.
The union boss said “we support the demand by the oil sector unions for the urgent passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) if possible in the first quarter of this year because it is  unacceptable  that the petroleum  sector is still  regulated by the old Petroleum Act of 1969”.
He said the PIB with all the proposed inputs by all stakeholders will undoubtedly  promote transparency  accountability and national benefits.
The union leader said looking into the future, there is the need to recognise that the international market for Nigerian crude this year is likely to shrink as alternative sources come on stream because  investment in gas development are beginning to yield  results.
The statement further urged the workers  to be productive  and peaceful in the year for industrial peace to reign and prevail on government  to live upto its commitments to Nigerians.

 
Philip Okparaji