Carry host communities along in implementation of PIA – CISLAC charges stakeholders

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has urged members of oil Host Community Development Trust, (HCDT) oil companies and governments in the oil producing states to carry the host communities along in the implementation of the provisions of Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

Ayo Omowu, the Technical Programmes and Communications Specialist of CISLAC made the appeal in Uyo on Wednesday during a three-day stakeholders dialogue on Exploring Host Community Beneficiation Provisions in the PIA with the theme ‘A Pathway to Sustainable Development and Unlocking Host Community Benefits in PIA’, organized in partnership with OXFAM.

Omowu emphasized on the need for members of the Trust to conduct NEEDS assessment of their communities and take the inputs of the people from conception stage to implementation so as to engender transparency and accountability.

According to him, “There is need for engagement of community people in all processes, we are aware that committees have been set up to implement some social amenities in the area but we want to ensure that even those committees that are working are doing so in tandem with the host communities.

“The people should know the timeframe for projects in their communities, the cost, and they should determine the type of project they want.”

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He noted that PIA holds significant promise to Nigeria’s oil-producing states but the success depends on the effective implementation of its provisions urging the Nigerian government and oil companies to
build a harmonious relationship with the host communities.

He also urged them to ensure that the benefits of the country’s vast oil resources are shared more equitably to the benefit of the oil producing communities.

In her presentation, Precious Igboanugo, the OXFAM Project Assistant called foran open civic space for oil producing communities in the state.

Igboanugo tasked governments, the extractive industries as well as the HCDT to as a matter of urgency purposefully re-invest the resources extracted from the oil bearing communities back into critical sectors like health, education, agriculture and youth employment.

She said, “We want to see a Nigeria where the tremendous resources from extractive industry work for the most vulnerable especially women and youth. An open civil space for communities bearing extractive resources, government at all levels investing resources in critical sectors.”

In her goodwill message the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Barr Iquo Abia said there was need to address the emerging issues of compliance and implementation of the PIA.