I was harassed, threatened, lobbied before passage of Petroleum Bill, Sen Alasoadura alleges

The Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District of Ondo State, Tayo Alasoadura, has said he went through “hell” in the hands of some cabals before the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) could be passed by the Upper Chamber.

Alasoadura, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), added that there were some forces who did not want the bill to be passed by the Senate.

The Senator, who spoke with journalists in Akure at the weekend, alleged that he was offered money by some of these cabals to frustrate the quick passage of the bill.

Alasoadura who claimed that he rejected the money, said he was also happy that the petroleum bill which had been in the Senate for over 13 years was finally passed by the upper chamber.

He disclosed that a lot of politicking was played out by those he described as “enemies” to ensure that the bill was frustrated out of the Senate in spite of its benefit to regulate the upstream sector of the petrol industry.

“In fact, there was a day I was abused by a set of people who came to lobby me for the bill not to be passed.

“They offered me money but I said no that the little money I have that God has provided for me is enough to cater for my well-being and that of my family.

“The politics, lobbying and so on from those who did not want the bill to see the light of the day was terrible. Unless you can withstand pressure, you won’t be able to do what I did,” he said.

Senator Alasoadura explained how it took his personal effort at convincing the other senators at the upper chamber of the Assembly to see light in the bill.

He said that the bill, which was passed by the senate within two hours on the day of its presentation, was eventually supported by over 52 senators.

“This is because I did a lot of underground work like meeting people, convincing them about the need for the bill, especially people who were not satisfied with some areas in the bill.

“We then gave them reasons to believe that everything had been taken care of in the bill and that nobody would be shortchanged.

“At the end of the day, before the final passage of the bill, 52 senators had signed,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the bill, which has been extended to the House of Representatives, would soon be passed into law, adding that there are three other bills relating to petroleum resources before the Senate.

Alasoadura outlined the other bills as the Administration Bill, Host Community Bill and the Fiscal Bill noting that the Senate was willing to ensure the passage of the bill before the end of next year when the country would be deep into electioneering campaign for the 2019 political calendar year.