The stakeholders from oil regions of Imo and Abia States have demanded for full and effective implementation of the Petroleum Industrial Act, PIA, of 2021 by oil companies operating in the region for even development of the host communities.
They also maintained that PIA, as a community based initiative if fully implemented will go a long way in discouraging militant activities which disrupts oil exploration and reduction of petroleum products.
The stakeholders made the call during a town hall meeting organized by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, in conjunction with Host Communies Project Management and Adversory Consult for the enlightenment of the communities on the operation of PIA.
The National President of the Host Communities, Benjamin Style Tamaranebi while addressing the gathering, explained that the town hall meeting is aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the PIA, especially, in terms of financial regulations and its environmental impacts on the host communities.
He added that the gathering is to provide avenue for the oil companies to meet with the host communities to know their needs and how to solve or meet them half way.
“This event will also provide an avenue for the host Communities to know their rights and how funds released to them are spent. Accountability is very necessary while engaging in the issue of handling projects strictly meant for the communities by ensuring its full implementation,” he said.
The National Secretary, Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities, TROPCOM, His Royal Majesty, Eze Emmanuel Aso , commended the organizers for affording them the opportunity to relate the problems facing host communities.
He said that oil companies should strictly adhere to the rules of engagement as stipulated in the PIA, by ensuring that what is due to the host communities is given to them.
Eze Aso pointed out that the only way to maintain peace between the oil companies and the host communities is by providing needed infrastructures and effective engagement of youths of the region.
The NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe on his part highlighted the importance of peaceful coexistence between oil companies and their hosts.
He noted that one of the factors militating against even development of the oil region is the unwillingness of some trustees to deliver on the mandate of carrying out community projects.
Komolafe added that the only way the PIA could be effective is by sanctioning trustees who are unable to carry out projects given to them.
He maintained that the PIA provides opportunity for the host communities to have direct impact for the development they desire and to ensure its sustainability.
Speaking to our correspondent, one of the participants, Chibueze Ohale from Obitti of an Autonomous Community in Ohaji- Egbema LGA, Imo State said that current situation of oil communities is nothing to write home about.
He narrated that the communities are forced into silence and are not able to complain to avoid being labbeled criminals.
He suggested that allowing the PIA to be fully established will be the only succour for the host Communities.
”You dare not try to complain to avoid being tagged a cultist or manhandled by security agencies,” he said.
” PIA provides for how communities can be developed and equally assign roles for purpose of overall development, especially those engaged in upstream sector.
Participants were drawn from Communities in Imo and Abia States.
