The Delta State government has pledged total commitment and support to the full implementation of agreements between host communities and oil companies in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
   
The Delta State Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, gave the assurance at the weekend during a sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the PIA Act 2021 organised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in collaboration with Mecco and Marine Holdings Limited for host communities in Ndokwa East Local Council.

He assured Deltans that though the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 was not a perfect document, the state government would continue to promote peace and a harmonious working environment between host communities and oil companies, saying that the government would not tolerate any attempt to shortchange host communities. 
   
Onyeme, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Christopher Osakwe, encouraged host communities to endeavour to secure oil companies’ facilities in their area to guarantee their entitlement to the three per cent fund as provided for in the PIA 2021.

Addressing participants at the sensitisation exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, said the enactment of the PIA 2021 and the subsequent regulation of the petroleum industry marked a turning point towards achieving sustainable development of host communities.