BY CAROLINE AMEH
The Senate has passed a bill to establish the Bitumen Development Commission, marking a major step toward unlocking Nigeria’s vast bitumen resources and boosting economic diversification.
The bill’s passage followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Sen. Diket Plang (APC–Plateau). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC–Ondo), proposes a regulatory body to oversee the exploration, exploitation, and management of Nigeria’s estimated 42 billion tonnes of bitumen reserves, the world’s second largest after Canada.
Sen. Plang noted that a well-attended public hearing revealed overwhelming stakeholder support. He said the commission would reduce reliance on crude oil, encourage domestic production of bitumen for infrastructure, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s raw materials through value addition.
“The bill will strengthen local manufacturing, cut dependence on imports, and promote sustainable economic growth by fostering local processing,” Plang said. He added that stakeholders agreed the commission was overdue, pointing to the irony of Nigeria importing bitumen despite its abundant reserves.
Plang also highlighted the commission’s expected role in coordinating investments, standardising production, enforcing environmental standards, and attracting local and foreign investors.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Sen. Ibrahim for initiating the bill and the committee for its thorough review. He described the legislation as a “development-driven initiative” aligned with the government’s efforts to harness the full potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
“This is a landmark development,” Akpabio said. “We must look beyond oil. This commission will enable Nigeria to tap into its bitumen wealth and achieve sustainable economic growth.”
