We forwarded tamper-proof PIB to NASS -Alison-Madueke'As Senate confirms receipt

MINISTER of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Thursday, threw more light into the draft Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) just transmitted to the National Assembly and the features that make it different from other fake versions reportedly making the rounds, adding that the new bill is tamper-proof.The minister made the clarifications while receiving a delegation of the United States (US) government, led by Mr Michael Froman, a deputy assistant to the president of the US and deputy National Security Adviser for International Economic Affairs.Alison-Madueke said besides the watermarks bearing her handwriting on every page, the draft bill was locked in with a code such that no one could add to or remove anything from it without the code.The minister said she took the pain to secure the document, to avoid the type of duplication that led to the emergence of fake versions of the old PIB, which created confusion in the National Assembly.Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr Froman commended the minister for taking the pain to ensure the authentication of the PIB, urging her to remain open to ongoing dialogue over the bill.Meanwhile, Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday, acknowledged the receipt of the PIB from President Goodluck Jona-than, as the Senate commenced a two-month annual vacation.Mark said the Senate had made over 200 copies of the bill that came from President Jonathan, with the name of each member written on each copy, to distinguish between the fake and authentic bill.Also on Thursday, the Senate resolved to investigate the controversy surrounding the sale of the $1.092 billion oil block, OPL 245, involving Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and Shell/Agip.It equally received the 2012 budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of N250.858 billion from President Goodluck Jonathan.
Click here to read full news..