Niger Delta Stakeholders Seek Amendment Of PIA

Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have made a unified call for amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, to expunge the Section which criminalizes host communities for any sabotage on oil facilities within their areas.

This demand was a key focus during the 3rd Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence held in Abuja, organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF.

The convergence, aimed at addressing over seventy years of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, provided a platform for regional stakeholders to advocate for measures to restore the environment and ensure social justice for affected communities.

In an address, the
Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers,
His Royal Highness, King Bubaraye Dakolo, underscored the urgent need to amend the existing legislation, describing it as anti-people.

King Dakolo emphasized that the PIA, as currently enacted, fails to protect the interests of the host communities.

The Director Advanced Law Research, Rivers state University, Professor Ibiba Lucky Worika,
delivered the keynote address, stressing the necessity for a complete overhaul of the PIA.

He lamented that the departure of international oil companies left the region to grapple with the burdens of extensive environmental degradation, pollution, and climate impacts.

“The PIA has not only failed to safeguard the rights of the host communities but has also left them with the aftermath of decades-long exploitation”.

Earlier the Executive Director, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey highlighted the critical need for the Niger Delta to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

He called for immediate action to remediate the environmental damage inflicted by years of oil exploitation.

“The National Assembly must address these existential issues for the people and the territory. The region cannot afford to be left in a toxic brew created by the oil companies”.
The stakeholders also pressed the federal government to develop comprehensive plans to relocate individuals affected by climate change and environmental degradation in coastal communities.

As the global energy landscape shifts towards renewable energy, they demanded the proper decommissioning of oil fields by multinational oil companies exiting the country to prevent further environmental harm.

The forum’s additional demands include a thorough assessment of the Niger Delta, a comprehensive health audit, and a robust plan for environmental restoration.

These measures, the stakeholders argued, are essential for rectifying the longstanding environmental injustices and ensuring a sustainable future for the Niger Delta region.

Aisha Adesanya, Edited By Grace Namiji