PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s office expressed concern on Monday over a document purported to be the new Petroleum Industry Bill, now in circulation and available in many online locations.
In a statement signed by the president’s chief media adviser, Dr. Reuben Abati, the presidency said it took the preemptive act of disowning the inauthentic version of what it calls a “very important national law” to prevent its existence from hindering the enactment of the original version.
“Following the consideration and approval of its contents by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting last week, the authentic new Petroleum Industry Bill is still being finalized by relevant government departments and readied to be forwarded to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan,” the statement read.
“Upon its delivery to the National Assembly under the official Seal of the President, the authentic new Petroleum Industry Bill will be available to all interested parties.”
“The general public and all stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are therefore advised to ignore the document currently in circulation as it is totally fake and lacking in authenticity.”