LAGOS/Nigeria: Members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ in the South South and South West zones have called for a speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, as the Bill would ensure a proper management of the oil and gas sector.
They made the call during a workshop on the bill which held in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The Petroleum Industry is regarded as the backbone of the Nigerian economy and has for many years been governed by different Petroleum acts.
However, inadequacies of the Acts led to the development of the Petroleum Industry Bill PIB, which was first presented to the National Assembly in 2008.
Since that time, the bill which seek to introduce changes in the administrative, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry, in order to among other things, attract investment capital and ensure transparency and accountability, is yet to be passed.
To create more awareness on the Petroleum Industry Bill, and its benefits to Nigerians, a workshop on the bill tagged “PIB X-raying Women Issues for Media Reportage” was organized to empower female journalists in the South South and South West Zones, with adequate knowledge to sensitize the public on the bill.
The event organized by the NAWOJ B Zone, featured lectures on Overview of the Global and Local Contexts Underlying the Reform of the Oil and Gas Sector- How does the PIB respond?, The PIB and opportunities for addressing Gender related issues, The Media and Advocacy for the Passage of the PIB, and Agenda Setting for Reportage, handled by various experts including Professor Israel Aye, Engineer Joe Nwakwe, Mr. Ikem Okuhu and Mr. Collins Olayinka.
NAWOJ harped on the need for adequate women representation in the provisions of the Bill.
They said poor implementation has been the bane of the country, adding that there was need to focus on implementation strategies when the Bill is passed into law.
