A bill for the Establishment of Bitumen Training Institute in Ode Aye, Ondo State, has scaled through the second reading at the Senate.

The bill which was sponsored by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Ondo South was read the second time at Senate plenary on Wednesday.

Leading the debate for the second reading, Senator Tofowomo said the Nigerian government has the priority of enhancing economic diversity. He stressed that the bill will not only create employment for Nigerians but also help to transform the Bitumen potential and fortunes of Nigeria.

He added that the establishment of the institute will also harmonise all the researches done on Bitumen deposit since 1905 and come up with a solid foundation for Bitumen exploration in Nigeria.

The bill was widely supported during the debate and therefore scaled the second reading at the Senate plenary.

“A Bill for an Act to establish the Institute of Bitumen Management to provide courses of instruction, training and research in Bitumen technology and to produce technicians and other skilled personnel required to run the industry, 2021 (SB. 663) by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, is read the second time”, the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, ruled on Wednesday.

Starnews Nigeria reports that the bill has been referred to the Committee on Solid Minerals and State Development to report back within four weeks.

Stay tuned for details later of this bill…