National Petroleum Authority Bill 2025 will transform the Department of Petroleum into an Authority with a Board, a Managing director to manage the Petroleum, Gas and Hydrocarbon industry of this country. Provincial Member for Southern Highlands William Powi expressed during Parliament yesterday when Petroleum Minister presented the Petroleum Bill on the floor of Parliament. Mr. Powi commended the Minister for Petroleum and the Government for introducing the Bill and stated that the Bill is timely, and they need to be compatible with the industry. “We cannot have a government department competing well advanced people with Technology and the know-how, so the Bill is timely. The Department of Petroleum and Energy has been dysfunctional for some time, it has been fully funded but has lack of skills to manage the complex industry. I think we as a country should commend the government approving this Bill, so it regulates the Petroleum and Hydrocarbon in the country. Generally, this Bill enable recruitment of suitably qualified persons in the market environment which is compatible with the industry. It will also provide the opportunity to the government restore credibility in the way we conduct our business in the oil and gas and petroleum industry with this new Authority. The establishment of this authority, the State as the regulator will effectively administer the Petroleum licenses and operations permitting as per the Oil and Gas Act of 1998 and other laws and policies,” Mr. Powi said. He added that in government if they see needs of important functions and when the Department cannot cope with the operating environment, bring such legislation in to have a competitive advantage so that the Petroleum Department is compatible with the expertise and the know-how with the mining companies and the industry players. “I think the Bill is timely and it is important, and we commend the Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina with this,” Mr. Powi said.