The Osun Defender highlights the geopolitical dynamics in the National Assembly regarding the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Shell faults new Petroleum Industry Bill
See Thisday’s report on Shell MD, Mutiu Sunmonu’s comments on the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012.
The Extent of Ministerial Powers under the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012
Feature article
All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power.
Ashleigh Brilliant
The phrases, “the Minister may”, “as may be decided or imposed by the Minister” “the Minister shall have the right” are phrases commonly sighted in the Petroleum Act 1969, the principal legislation currently governing the Nigerian petroleum industry as well as subsequent industry legislations. These Ministerial powers cover a multitude of issues ranging from power to grant upstream and downstream petroleum licences, prescribe terms and conditions of licences, control pricing of petroleum products, declare national emergency,[1] order discretionary suspension of petroleum operations and make regulations, to mention a few. These provisions have resulted in the vesting of a huge amount of power in a single office with almost unfettered powers to direct the affairs of this very sensitive industry. The product has been an industry with a record of abuse of power, lack of transparency and accountability and ineffective regulatory oversight, resulting in little or no benefit being derived by the citizenry. Continue reading “The Extent of Ministerial Powers under the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012”
PIB: The Government is not your Nanny
Toyin Akinosho of Africa Oil and Gas Report highlights critical differences between the current fiscal regime and the proposed fiscal regime under the Petroleum Industry Bill. He suggests that the proposed terms will be more onerous and will not encourage capital projects by small and large investors.
PIB Dead on Arrival?
Clara Nwachukwu of the Vanguard in the above titled article highlights some of the hidden tensions surrounding the passage of the PIB. In particular it suggests that the version of the Bill signed by the Minister includes significant changes from that submitted by the PIB Technical Committee.