Sincere PIA implementation will end Niger-Delta agitation – ex-IPCR DG

Former Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Prof. Osita Oshita, has stated that sincere implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by the government will bring an end to the long-standing Niger Delta agitation.

According to him, the PIA has the potential to address the developmental needs of the Niger Delta region, which he said has been a major bone of contention.

He gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day symposium on the Nigerian Petroleum Industry with the theme; “Nigerian Petroleum Industry: The Way Forward” organised by Development Agenda Magazine in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Osita, a former lawmaker in the House of Representatives from 1992-1993 said the Niger Delta’s underdevelopment, despite being the hub of Nigeria’s oil production, is a significant contributor to the security challenges in the region.

He said these challenges grow by the day according to the dynamics of oil production.

Oshita further revealed that there are underlying factors in the oil production process that are not visible to the public, stating that these factors significantly impact the security situation in the region.

His words: “One of our challenges, as pointed out in my paper, is that we have ignored the very important elements in the areas where the oil is produced. That’s why you hear that the Niger Delta is one of the most underdeveloped areas, even though that is where the oil money comes from. The whole country depends on that oil, but the people where that oil is found don’t get any benefit.

“And that is why security challenges will continue because the people must fight for their land.

“However, I have proposed that in spite of the challenges that we have around, the Petroleum Industry Act has a lot of opportunities that can be leveraged.

“Although many people don’t talk about it, I see that if the country can focus on getting the benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act, Nigeria may be heading the right way in terms of how the communities and the oil bearing communities and surrounding businesses are growing. I believe that we can be in control of the Petroleum Industry if we do follow the letters and content of the Petroleum Industry Act.”

Publisher of Development Agenda Magazine, Paddy Ezeala, noted that Nigeria’s economy has revolved around oil for over 70 years, yet the country has not fully harnessed its benefits.

He stressed the need for knowledge and awareness about the industry, particularly in the era of energy transition and insecurity challenges.

Ezeala said: “The petroleum industry is central to our economy and even central to our nationhood. It’s something that we all should know about. As a matter of fact, the whole economy of Nigeria should have been revolving around oil for the past 70 years.

“So there is need for knowledge. There is need for us to know how the industry works. Now, we are talking about energy transition. How are we transiting? How are we moving? People should be aware. People should be environmentally conscious.

“People should know how other factors around us, like insecurity, is affecting the production of oil. We cannot even meet our quota as a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”

He said the gathering provides an opportunity for experts to discuss the industry’s social, economic, and environmental issues.