By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Oil-producing communities in Imo and Abia States are demanding the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, calling it a vital tool for ensuring equitable development, transparency, and peace in the Niger Delta.
At a town hall meeting convened by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in partnership with the Host Communities Project Management and Advisory Consult, stakeholders underscored the need for oil companies and regulators to adhere strictly to the Act’s provisions.
National President of Host Communities, Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, said the PIA empowers communities to understand and manage their development agenda.
He emphasized that the event fostered direct engagement between oil companies and host communities, enabling clarity on project execution and fund utilization.
“This gathering is about financial accountability, environmental responsibility, and ensuring that communities receive their fair share,” Tamaranebi stated.
Traditional ruler and National Secretary of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities (TROPCOM), HRM Eze Emmanuel Aso, echoed the call for full implementation.
He urged oil companies to honor their commitments, noting that peace and stability hinge on visible infrastructure development and youth engagement.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, highlighted poor performance by some community trustees as a major challenge to delivering the intended benefits of the Act.
He called for sanctions where necessary and urged communities to hold their trustees accountable.
“The success of the PIA rests on transparency and responsible leadership,” Komolafe said, adding that the Act was crafted to place host communities at the center of their own development.
A participant, Chibueze Ohale of Obitti in Ohaji-Egbema LGA, lamented the repression of community voices. “Speaking out often brings intimidation. The PIA is our only hope for real change,” he said.
The PIA mandates the creation of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), allocates 3% of oil companies’ operational expenses to fund community projects, and outlines clear roles for community participation and oversight.
The town hall drew representatives from several oil-producing areas in Imo and Abia States, with a shared message: it is time to move from promises to action.
