Amend Petroleum Industry Act – Host Communities, Nigeria Producing Oil, Gas

Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas have called for an Amendment to the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 for a review of the Thirteen Percent derivation for the Communities to domesticate the Pipeline Surveillance in the care of the Host Communities as articulated in the United Nations Environment Programme report.

Speaking at a News Conference on behalf of the Communities in Abuja, the Chairman, Mr. Mike Emuh who expressed concerned on the ineffective utilisation of the Thirteen Percent Derivation given to State Governments, called for even utilisation of the resources to ensure Host Communities who agitated for it adequately benefit.

According to Mr Emuh “Again, we are also concerned about the payment of the thirteen percent derivation fund to state governments instead of making the payment to the host communities as enunciated in section 162, sub-section 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended”.

“Furthermore, the pipeline surveillance and related infrastructure should also be domesticated and in care of the host communities as articulated by the United Nations and the PIA”.

Mr. Emuh pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government to end Crude Oil theft and Pipeline vandalism to preserve the nation’s wealth.

Mr. Emuh further stressed the need for various Political Office Holders to ensure that developmental projects were put in the front burner for the benefit of the Populace without sentiments or selfish interest.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji