The Delta state government has said it would continue to promote peace and create harmonious working environment between host communities and oil companies insisting that government would not tolerate any attempt to shortchange host communities.
The Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, gave the assurance at a sensitization workshop on the implementation of the PIA Act 2021 organized by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, in collaboration with Mecco and Marine Holdings Limited for host communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
The state government pledged its total commitment and support to the full implementation of agreements between host communities and oil companies in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
Mr. Onyeme assured Deltans that though the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 was not a perfect document , the state government would continue to promote peace.
Sir Onyeme, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sir Christopher Osakwe, encouraged host communities to endeavor to secure oil companies’ facilities in their area to guarantee their entitlement to the three percent fund as spelt out in the PIA Act 2021.
Addressing participants at the sensitization exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, said the enactment of the PIA 2021 and the subsequent regulation of the petroleum industry marked a turning point in the effort to achieve sustainable development of host communities.
Engineer Komolafe represented by Mr. Akpotowho Kennedy, noted that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission , NUPRC, recognised the pivotal role of host communities in the Nigeria oil and gas sector acknowledging that resources from host communities had enormously contributed to the nation’s economic growth hence the need for them to be adequately sensitized on the importance of chapter three of the PIA Act.
The Consultant to NUPRC and Chief Executive Officer of Mecco and Marine Holdings Limited, Chief George Bucknor, said the purpose of the workshop was to sensitize host communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of their social benefits as enshrined in sections 234 and 240 as opposed to section 257 subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Chief Bucknor explained that the sensitization was also to facilitate compliance to the provisions of chapter 3 of the PIA and provide timely and accurate information to the commission regarding non – compliance by the host community development trustees or settlor within the Applicable laws among several other objectives.
Traditional rulers including the Obi of Aboh , His Imperial Majesty, Dr Gregory Nnamdi Oputa 111 and others from host communities in Ndokwa East commended the initiative promising to ensure that they safeguard oil facilities in their domain.
There were talks on importance of the stakeholders engagement regarding the petroleum community direct social benefits by Mr. Chris Agina of Mecco and Marine Holdings Limited as well as interactive session by participants.