18 January 2013, Sweetcrude, Abuja – A bill for an act to amend the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act of 2004 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to remove the impediment to the performance of duties of the Department for Petroleum Resources, DPR.
It also seeks to ensure that pipeline vandals are prosecuted and convicted.
Leading debate on the merits of the bill, Rep. Ali Ahmad (PDP-Kwara) said that the bill would address incidences of vandalism.
He said that the issue of vandalism of pipelines was worrisome, adding that the amendment would ensure that vandals were prosecuted and convicted.
“This amendment is seeking to help secure prosecution and conviction of vandals, it is connected to the prosecution of vandalism of pipelines activities,” he said.
Ahmad urged his colleagues to support the proposed amendment to tackle incidents of vandals.
In her submission, Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (ACN-Lagos) aligned herself with submission of Ahmad that the amendment sought would go a long way to rescue petroleum vandalism.
She said that the prosecution of vandals would also serve as a deterrent to others.
Rep. Simon Arabo (PDP-Kaduna) expressed optimism that the passage of the bill would strengthen the Principal Act (anti-sabotage act) 2004.
“It is good that we are taking steps to tackle this issue of vandals,” he said.
Rep. Sadiq Mohammed (PDP-Kogi) said that the proposed amendment was timely and apt.
“The proposed amendment is very welcome, as it will remove the mischief in investigating and in convicting vandals of our pipelines.
“It will also make sure that justice is not delayed in the prosecution and conviction of pipeline vandals,” Mohammed said.
The lawmakers were unanimous in their votes in passing the bill for second reading, while Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, referred it to the Committees on Justice and Petroleum Down Stream for more legislative inputs.
