THE Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is approaching its third reading, but its secure passage out of the legislative mire and into law is not yet guaranteed.
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The chance of failure, though, is now getting slimmer.
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This is because the coalition of support behind the bill is growing – it is now very cross-party in character. The PIB has the support of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, and has secured special backing from the President.
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Alongside the ruling party, the then Congress for Progressive Change, CPC – spoke in favour of the bill.
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It remains to be seen if this position survives the creation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which the erstwhile CPC is now a part of. It is extremely valuable to have the organisational machinery of all parties supporting the bill.