Senate President, David Mark, has clarified that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly is neither aimed at discouraging the multinational oil and gas prospecting corporations, nor against any section of the country, but geared towards promoting international best practices in the industry.
According to Mark, the PIB was to correct some grey areas in the operation of the oil industry in a manner that would bring peace and yield positive dividends to all stakeholders, including the operators, the government, the host communities and all Nigerians.
The Senate President made these revelations during an interactive session with the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ronhaar drs Berend Jan. He said there was nothing to hide or fear about the PIB, just as he assured that dialogue towards a better operation of the oil sector was open and not foreclosed.
He also told his guest that Nigeria was also worried about the conspiracy or connivance by illegal oil bunkerers and some foreign corporations to continue to steal the nation’s crude oil: “You should help us stop oil thieves because if there is no market for them abroad, they will not continue to steal… Their market is outside Nigeria. Help us discourage them. If there is no market, there will be no bunkering… The international community helped to stop stealing of gold in Liberia. They can help us stop oil thieves by refusing to patronise them,” he said.
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