PIB: Group advocates open bidding process to check minister’s control

 As the debate for the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) commences at the National Assembly, various civil society groups have drawn attention to the need to check the powers of the minister who implements it when it is enacted.

Although, the civil society groups suggested adherence to the rule of law by all stakeholders to ensure the success of the PIB, the African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development, however, advocated an open bidding process that would check the powers of the minister as contained in the bill.

The executive director of the centre, Otive Igbuzor, in an interaction with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday said the mainstay of the nation’s wealth still revolves around oil and the need to ensure that the rule of law is encouraged in the PIB in order to foster transparency is necessary.

According to him, a campaign for accountability and transparency in the oil sector is important and the PIB has presented the nation with that opportunity for a better economic and political outlook in the sector.

 

HARRISON EDEH