Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has called for cooperation among host communities for increased development in the oil and gas producing areas of the state.
He said the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would set the ball rolling for a better business industry and profer job opportunities to the state.
The governor made the statement at a one-day stakeholders forum organised by the State ministry for Mining, Oil, and Gas at the weekend in Benin to brainstorm on ways to ensure effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Obaseki, who was represented at the event by Mr Monday Osaigbovo, said the purpose of the stakeholder’s engagement was to discuss freely the implementation of the PIA for sustainable peace.
He said, “The oil and gas sector to date is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and as such, there is a need to evaluate its contributions to communities and the state at large.”
The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve the lives of residents in the three oil-producing local government areas of Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Okha, and Ovia North-East.
In his opening remarks, the convener of the forum, Hon. Ethan Uzamere, Commissioner for Mining, Oil, and Gas noted that the state government was at the forefront in the implementation of the PIA.
According to him, “The Act seeks to promote the ease of doing business in the oil and gas industry, regulating the midstream and downstream sector, as well as making clear the roles of all players in the sector.
“It provides for fast approvals of licenses to investors, removes bureaucratic bottlenecks to end fuel importation and subsidies while strengthening the value of the Naira and creating job opportunities in the petroleum value chain, among others”, Uzamere explained.
He explained that the Host Community Development Trust, a provision of the PIA, would guarantee benefits for the communities only if cooperation and peace were guaranteed in the areas of operations.
“Under this Act, Oil Companies are to make yearly contributions of three per cent (3%) of their yearly operating expenditure to the Trust, geared towards improving the standard of living of the host community as well as guaranteeing accountability in the management of developmental funds”, Uzamere stated.
Representatives of some of the Host communities drawn from the three Oil producing areas of the state expressed gratitude to the State government for the inclusion and development plans for the state.
