By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has renewed calls for amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), alleging that its implementation continues to undermine host communities in the oil-producing region.
PANDEF National Spokesman and Publicity Secretary, Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, in a statement made available to Stonix News on Monday, argued that provisions of the Act wrongly penalise host communities instead of oil companies responsible for delays or non-compliance. He cited Section 257, which deducts funds from communities when vandalism occurs, describing it as unjust.
He noted that Section 236 of the Act mandates a daily fine of 2,500 dollars for oil companies (Settlors) who fail to comply with the PIA, but regretted that the penalty is paid to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) rather than the host communities directly affected.
“Such money should have been paid to the host communities who suffer the non-compliance by the settlors instead of NUPRC that is meant to oversight them,” he stated.
“NUPRC is now condoning the settlors’ non-compliance because it serves as a source of revenue generation.”
Ominimini further claimed that since the PIA came into force, many Host Community Boards of Trustees (BoTs) and Management Committees (MCs) have not received the required distribution matrix from the oil companies.
He warned that the value of funds meant for development projects is being eroded by inflation while communities continue to wait.
He therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to “live up to its supervisory responsibility and call Engr Komolafe, the CEO of NUPRC, to order.”
Turning to infrastructure, PANDEF made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Niger Delta seaports are included in the 2026 federal budget, stressing that ignoring them is economically harmful and unjust.
“It is a sin to concentrate all landing containers in Lagos, leaving Warri, Sapele, Koko, Burutu, Onne and Calabar ports to waste,” the spokesperson said.
“Reviving these ports will boost economic activities in the region that feeds Nigeria with oil and gas but benefits nothing in return.”
The statement was signed by Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF National Spokesman and National Publicity Secretary.
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