Despite the controversies, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday gave assent to the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021.
This was confirmed in a statement signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President.
The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.
Buhari is presently on five days quarantine as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 after returning from London on Friday August 13.
Part of the statement read: “The Petroleum Industry Act provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host communities, and related matters.
“The Senate passed the Bill on July 15, 2021, while the House of Representatives did the same on July 16, thus ending a long wait since early 2000s, and notching another high for the Buhari administration.”
PHSpectator reports that groups from within the Niger Delta and beyond vehemently resisted provisions of the bill especially the three percent granted host communities.
