NNPC, Editors Guild renew hope for passage of PIB bill, others

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) yesterday renewed hope for passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and other legislations in the oil and gas sector.

Specifically, the NGE pledged to enlighten members of the Ninth National Assembly on the need for accelerated passage of oil and gas industry bills to create the right environment that would attract more investments into the country.

Speaking in Abuja during a visit of the National Executive of the NGE led by its President, Funke Egbemode, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari stated that until and unless the petroleum legislation is passed, the volume of foreign investments flow into the country would not be restricted.

“The petroleum legislation has been lingering since 1999 and we are aware that the present administration is committed to the passage of this very important legislation. “We need the NGE’s help to get the petroleum bill passed through sufficient enlightenment of the National Assembly and all other stakeholders,” Kyari said.

Kyari stated that NNPC would enhance gas supply to the power and industrial sectors to boost the nation’s economy, adding that the oil and gas industry under his watch would promote the common good of all Nigerians.He pointed out that the corporation would also continue to work closely with the NGE to ensure a transparent and accountable industry, stressing that the corporation would work for a sustainable and viable economy.

“We recognise that together with the NGE, we have work to do. We promise to be transparent and accountable to all our shareholders who are the over 180 million Nigerians. We have a responsibility to ensure that NNPC works for all of us,” he said.

Kyari stated that the NGE’s visit was the greatest honour done the corporation by the journalism profession, maintaining that its role in nation building was key to providing policy direction and guidance for government.

Speaking, Egbemode said the NGE would collaborate with the new management of NNPC by providing credible platforms that would enable the corporation to always inform Nigerians and the world about its mandate and other developments in the nation’s economy.