The controversies that have so far trailed the all-important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) snowballed into sharp division among lawmakers at the lower legislative chambers last week when many members argued that what was being debated was contrary to the original version forwarded to the House in December 2008 by late President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Trouble started when 12 of the lawmakers queried what they describe as the "reviewed version" of the original PIB which the House had received earlier.
The controversies that have so far trailed the all-important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) snowballed into sharp division among lawmakers at the lower legislative chambers last week when many members argued that what was being debated was contrary to the original version forwarded to the House in December 2008 by late President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Trouble started when 12 of the lawmakers queried what they describe as the "reviewed version" of the original PIB which the House had received earlier.
Muhammed Sani Takori (PDP, Zamfara), who challenged many provisions of the 408 clauses in the bill, said they were either altered or ultimately deleted by the lawmakers.
"For instance clause 2 sub 1 which talks about the ownership of petroleum resources in Nigeria is vested in the government of the federation instead of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution," Takori argued.
But Takori's position did not go down well with Igo Aguma (PDP, Rivers) who raged in anger and accused him (Takori) of being "bought over" by interest he did not mention.
But the Deputy Speaker, Bayero Nafada, who was bent on consideration of the bill, proceeded with the process amid protest by aggrieved members.
Other members like Saudatu Sani (PDP, Zamfara), Lanre Agoro (ACN, Osun) and others questioned the apparent haste in considering the bulky piece of legislation which they were handed over less than 24 hours before.
However, Nafada quickly intervened by adjourning the sitting till April 19.
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