The Nigerian House of Representatives has presented the “Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2475)“, aimed at amending the existing Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act of 1975. This legislative initiative seeks to enhance the current framework that addresses sabotage related to petroleum products.The bill sponsored: Hon. Dumnamene Dekor and 14 other representatives, has entered its first reading, marking the initial phase of the legislative process. This step will be followed by public debate and scrutiny during subsequent readings and committee reviews. Bill progress: Committee stage.
The original Act, enacted in 1975, defines sabotage in the context of petroleum operations as any deliberate act that interferes with the production, distribution, or procurement of petroleum products. The law imposes severe penalties on offenders, which may include a death sentence or imprisonment for up to 21 years.
As an amendment, the new bill is intended to revise, expand, or clarify various components of the original legislation. Potential focus areas include:
- Updating Definitions: The bill may seek to modernize definitions such as “petroleum products,” “vehicle,” or “public highway” to reflect advancements in the industry and technology.
- Revising Penalties: Changes to the current severe penalties may be proposed to better align with contemporary legal standards and sentencing practices.
- Expanding Scope: The amendment might broaden the Act’s scope to include emerging forms of sabotage and address challenges within the petroleum sector, such as cyberattacks and innovative illegal bunkering methods.
- Clarifying Jurisdiction: The bill may clarify the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in prosecuting offenses under the Act.
The proposed amendment highlights the Nigerian government’s effort to strengthen regulations and enhance security measures in the petroleum sector in response to ongoing concerns about sabotage and illicit activities.
