Bayelsa State government has demanded a greater share of oil and gas resources, insisting Wednesday that there is a need to review the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the fallout from the host community regulations of the PIA is impacting the state.

Citing adverse effects of its implementation on local communities and the state’s finances, Diri expressed concern that the host community provisions of the PIA have inadvertently armed communities against one another.

According to him, while the law channels funds directly to host communities, it fails to adequately account for governance challenges and leaves the state government to manage resulting tensions and unmet needs.

Speaking further, Diri questioned the recent divestment of assets by Shell, stating that although the state is not opposed to such moves, Bayelsa should have been offered the opportunity to acquire equity in the oil blocs. According to him, there should have been a pathway for the state to participate directly in the ownership of these resources.

The governor also urged the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure that oil and gas companies deepen investment in human capital development. He criticised the prevailing model where locals receive only temporary training during project execution, stating that such short-term measures do not contribute meaningfully to long-term growth or sustainability.

Diri equally challenged the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) to site part of its Train Seven development project in Bayelsa, arguing that the gas resources fuelling the expansion are derived from the state.

“It is only fair that the benefits of such strategic national projects are reflected in the communities providing the resources,” he added.

The governor’s message highlights broader concerns about development equity, governance, and community stability as he stressed that sustainable growth must be rooted in local realities and that real transformation depends on strengthening human capacity and long-term infrastructure.

As Nigeria continues to pursue revenue from its oil and gas sector, Diri warned against short-sighted policies that overlook social cohesion and the long-term well-being of host communities.