PIA: Uviejitobor bemoans absence of defined roles for state govts, advocates review ~ Truth Reporters

By Andy Emephia

The 8th National Council on Hydrocarbons with the theme "The Petroleum industry Act ( PIA) 2021: The journey so far", has opened in Asaba , the Delta State capital, with the Commissioner for Ol and gas, Hon ( Chief) Peter Uviejitobor, bemoaning the absence of a defined role and seeming non recognition of state governments under the Act.

Chief Uviejitobor, therefore advocated for an urgent review of the seeming oversight , so that state governments in hydrocarbon endowed  areas of the country, will have  legally defined roles and be accorded full recognition , under the  Petroleum industry Act ( PIA).

The Delta Oil and gas Commissioner , in his welcome address stated that the Petroleum industry Act 2021, marked a landmark achievement in Nigeria,s quest for a transparent , efficient , and environmentally conscious oil and gas sector.

Uviejitobor added that the PIA legislation does not only seek to reform the oil industry, but also it is aimed at creating a conducive environment for investment , enhance regulatory frame works, and promote local content development , amidst ensuring that host communities are accorded their rightful place in the sector .

He emphasized that as a major hub of oil production activities in Nigeria , Delta State has a vested interest in not only the effective implementation of the Petroleum industry Act, but also in the outcome of the 8th National Council on Hydrocarbons being hosted by Delta State government.

While paying special tributes to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for approving the hosting of the event in Asaba , the Oil and gas Commissioner  tasked participants, especially members of constituted Host Community Development Trusts and oil companies, to actively defend their memoranda , contribute to the conversations , share their experiences and propose innovative solutions that will shape the future of the Petroleum industry.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Agbo Ella, said the National Council on Hydrocarbons has come to stay as the Ministry,s flagship event , aimed at garnering ideas that will propel good policy formulation in the nation,s oil and gas sector.

Represented by the Director of Upstream department in the ministry, Engr Kamoru Busari, the Petroleum Resources ministry Permanent Secretary said the theme for this year 2024 National Council on Hydrocarbons , "The Petroleum industry Act ( PIA), 2021: The journey so far", is well thought out and apt for the moment.

Ambassador Agbo Bella , revealed that , "realizing the dangers inherent in over dependence on oil revenue , which for some years now , has been volatile and causing disruption in the implementation of the national budget , the federal government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, decided to tap into the gas potentials of Nigeria with a view to optimizing the gas value chain. Thus, the Hon Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, launched the Nigeria Gas Transportation Network Code and declared year 2020 as the YEAR OF GAS, during the 4th edition of NIPS, held in February 2020".

The Petroleum Resources disclosed that since the world is yearning for cleaner energy forms and discouraging the use of fossil fuel due to its pollutant effects, Nigeria  must be awake to tap into the great potentials for gas.

Highpoints of the event which was attended by stakeholders in the hydrocarbon industry such as Host community of Oil producing areas ( HOSTCOM), oil and gas prospecting firms and the private sector , was the Technical session which considered memoranda from various interests in the industry.