PENGASSAN seeks Buhari’s assent to Energy Commission Bill before handover

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, assent to the Energy Commission of Nigeria Amendment Bill, 2022 before handing over to next administration on May 29.

A statement yesterday by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo and Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, noted that assenting to the Energy Bill in addition to the already signed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would go a long way in repositioning the oil and gas sector, as well as the nation’s economy.

PENGASSAN, while urging Buhari to assent to the Amended Bill, said the appeal was sequel to the negligence of the Bill, which was transmitted to the Office of the President since November 28, 2022.

It revealed that the provisions of the current Act of the Energy Commission were no longer in tandem with the present realities in the energy sector, hence the request for the Amendment of the Energy Commission of Nigeria Bill, 2022.

The oil workers maintained that this was the right time to strengthen the Energy Commission of Nigeria, which has the mandate of producing strategic plans for the government in the energy sector.

Noting the critical role of the energy commission in nation building, it said it was expected to meet up with the country’s energy demands in critical areas, especially by sustaining energy development in the country.

PENGASSAN blamed the inability of the Commission to perform its mandated duties on bureaucratic breakdowns with the various stakeholders and internal shortcomings, stressing that the situation has been costly for the nation’s energy sector.