Buhari rejects NOSDRA Act amendment bill
Tunde Opalana, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act (amendment) bill passed by the National Assembly.
Buhari, in a letter addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and read at plenary on Wednesday, said his decision was pursuant to Section 58 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Specifically, Buhari, who is the minister of petroleum resources said the bill undermines the powers of the minister and the functions of the ministry.
The letter read: “I am declining assent to the bill because in a number of important sections, the bill undermines the powers of the minister of petroleum resources and the functions and responsibilities of the ministry of petroleum resources.”
Buhari also rejected the imposition of 0.5 per cent of operation funds on oil companies, explaining that this will create addition tax burden on oil firms operating in the country.
He listed the contentious areas in the bill to include, Sections 3, 6 (1a), 7 (a) and (b), 8, 9 and 11.
“Section 8 of the bill imposes a new charge on the industry of 0.5 per cent of operation funds of oil companies for the enforcement of the environmental legislation in the petroleum sector.
“This imposition is an additional burden on the industry, particularly given that it is unclear what operation funds mean for the purpose of applying the provisions of the bill,” he added.
The President also forwarded a letter seeking confirmation of the 30 – member board of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Also yesterday, Senate President Bukola Saraki swore-in Senator Isaac Alfa representing Kogi East. He replaces Senator Atai Aidoko, whose election was invalidated by court.
