By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, assent to the Energy Commission of Nigeria Amendment Bill,2022 before handing over to the incoming administration on May 29th, 2023.

In a statement jointly endorsed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo and Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, the Association said the appeal is a sequel to the negligence of the Bill which was transmitted to the Office of the President since the twenty-eight November,2022.

According to the statement that the release reminded President Buhari of the critical role of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in nation building, added that the commission is expected to meet up with the energy demands of the country in critical areas especially by sustaining energy development in the country.

PENGASSAN blamed the inability of the Energy Commission of Nigeria to perform its mandated duties on bureaucratic breakdowns with the various stakeholders and internal shortcoming.

The statement stressed that the situation has been costly for the Nigeria’s energy sector. It revealed that the provisions of the current Act of the Energy Commission are no longer in tandem with the present realities in the energy sector, hence the request for the Amendment of the Energy Commission of Nigeria Bill,2022.

The Association while urging President Buhari to assent to the Amended Bill, maintained that this is the right time to strengthen the Energy Commission of Nigeria which has the mandate of
producing strategic plans for the government in the energy sector in all ramifications.
PENGASSAN noted that assenting to the Energy Bill in addition to the Petroleum Industry Act
already signed into law by President Buhari will go a long way in repositioning the entire energysector as well as nation’s economy.