Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has described the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)as a “time bomb with lots of lacunas” aimed at excluding state and local governments from benefiting from crude oil proceeds since host communities are direct beneficiaries.
Speaking during the inauguration of the office of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) in Yenagoa, the state capital, Senator Diri further described the provision of three per cent of oil proceeds accruing to host communities as grossly inadequate and called for an upgrade to 10 per cent.
Explaining further, the governor again called for amendment of sections of the Act that excluded roles for the states and local governments, while urging international oil companies in the country to relocate their headquarters to states where they operate.
According to the governor, his administration has worked hard to enthrone peace and security in Bayelsa, however, attributed part of the problem of insecurity to the alienation of Niger Delta people from job opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
He said “let Bayelsans and people across the Niger Delta be employed in your commission. Part of the problem causing conflict is the alienation of our people from job opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
“There should be an inclusive process for our people to benefit from the resources in their land.”
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, commended the governor for providing a befitting office for the ADRC’s Body of Neutrals.
He said “I want to pay glowing tribute to Governor Diri. He has done something wonderful and demonstrated a rare gesture.
“It is first of its kind for the ADR centre, which is an indication of his desire to bring dispute resolution to his people. We promise to make effective utilization of this infrastructure.”
The NUPRC chief executive said the centre will guarantee access to quality, cost-effective and time-efficient resolution of disputes that arise in the upstream petroleum sector.
The NUPRC Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs Olayemi Anyanechi, in her remarks, said the Body of Neutrals was made up of retired judges and other eminent professionals to bring about justice, equity and fairness to host communities.