After years of legislative and executive feet dragging,President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday signed the newly passed Petroleum Industry bill into Law.
It was the first of Buhari’s major action since returning to the country from the United Kingdom.
Buhari signing the Bill
His aides confirmed on Monday that the President is working from home in observance of his five days quarantine.
This is the requirement stipulated by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.
He had returned from London on Friday August 13.
A statement made available to the NPO Reports said the President assented to the Bill Monday August 16, in his determination to fulfill his constitutional duty.
“The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday, after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.
“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 statement added
The Senate had passed the Bill on July 15, 2021, while the House of Representatives did same on July 16, thus ending a long wait since early 2000s, and notching another high for the Buhari administration.
There have been lots of controversies over the bill since it was jointly passed by the two arms of the National Assembly.
