The OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative (OAI) has stressed the need for the government to consciously seek the development of the oil and gas sector through reforms, given the critical nature of the sector to the economy.
This, it said, informed its desire to host the inaugural Development Dialogue Series (DDS) where aspirants across party lines will address industry experts, civil society leaders and the media on their understanding of the oil and gas industry.It said: “The refusal of the President to assent to the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) has brought the issue of reforms in the oil sector of the economy into sharp focus.
“Coming at a time when expectations were high that after almost two decades of being stuck in the National Assembly the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was close to significant, albeit incremental fruition, the decision of the President was an anti-climax that has set the industry and indeed, the entire economy into fresh anxieties and uncertainties. “
While the justification for the denial of presidential assent could be plausible and germane, the implications are diverse and could be far-reaching, OAI said in a statement.
It added: “This therefore triggers the need for deep reflections, introspection and fresh perspectives on the fate of both the reforms contemplated by the PIGB and indeed the entire oil and gas industry of the country. The ensuing debate around this development could however, not have come at a better time.
“Given the impending general elections and the inevitable opportunities it provides to rethink, reconsider and offer options for national development, the current situation with the PIGB cannot be allowed to slip away or be mired in the waters of politics without extracting subliminal values therefrom.”
The group seeks to convene a national DDS with a focus on oil sector reforms on September 26, which will bring together political players, especially those seeking presidential office in 2019, political parties, actors in the oil sector, civil society, the media and other critical sectors of society to exchange ideas on way forward for the PIGB and the oil industry generally.
While this is not intended as a campaign platform per se, aspirants and parties are offered a veritable opportunity by this event to give their perspectives on the PIGB just as players in the industry will be able to share their concerns and expectations of the political class going forward.
It is important to stress that this is a non-partisan activity and its outcome will be a true reflection of what is canvassed by different players in a cross-fertilisation of ideas for national development with regards to Nigeria’s economic mainstay – oil.
The Development Dialogue Series (DDS), according to the statement, is a modest contribution of the OAI to shift focus and deepen conversations around key development themes in the ongoing transition process.
