– Full enforcement of PIA essential for Niger Delta oil communities
– Expert highlights PIA’s role in addressing environmental degradation
– Call for transparency and accountability in PIA implementation
Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, a natural resource governance expert, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to address the longstanding environmental and developmental challenges in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. He emphasized that the PIA, enacted in 2021, holds the potential to transform the oil and gas sector by ensuring transparency, accountability, and equitable resource distribution.
Dr. Uzoigwe pointed out that despite the PIA’s provisions aimed at benefiting host communities, there has been a lag in its execution, leading to continued environmental degradation and socio-economic disparities. He stressed the importance of operationalizing the Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) to facilitate direct community involvement in managing oil revenues and mitigating environmental impacts. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Dr. Uzoigwe urged relevant stakeholders, including government agencies and oil companies, to collaborate in ensuring the PIA’s provisions are fully realized. He believes that proper implementation will not only address environmental concerns but also foster sustainable development and peace in the Niger Delta.
