From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has warned oil communities in the Niger Delta region over the incessant crises that are robbing the communities of development.
According to him, the infighting and litigation arising from the three per cent Host Community Development Trust Fund have stalled development in several oil communities.
Lokpobiri, who stated this in Yenagoa during the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum with the theme, “Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualising the PIA Paradigm Shift,” noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was enacted to promote stability in the oil and gas sector.
Speaking to a cross-section of stakeholders from Koluama, Ezetu, Fishtown, Ekeni, Sangana, Ogbobiri, Opu-Okumbiri, and Forupa in Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas, he called for an end to crises so that host communities can maximise the benefits of the funds.
He disclosed that over £300 billion, which should have been used for the development of the oil communities, is trapped because of several cases of litigation.
Lokpobiri stated that, as part of actualising the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu, he is using the forum to appeal to oil communities to sheathe their swords and allow development to flourish in their communities.
He hinted that he would soon convene a stakeholder engagement with oil communities in oil-producing states to preach the message of peace.
Lokpobiri, while recommending the KEFFESO model to oil communities, applauded First E&P for being a strategic partner.
“This is KEFFESO community stakeholders’ engagement to maximise the benefits of the 3% Host Community Trust Fund as prescribed by the PIA. I came to essentially speak to let them know that this is the beginning of taking ownership, of taking a stake in the oil and gas sector.
“Anytime there is any disruption, everybody loses: the federal government, oil companies, and host communities lose. That is why I said it is important that they take this message home and let them work with us. Stakeholders, the federal government, companies, and host communities should work together as stakeholders who have respective stakes in oil and gas operations in the country.
“I recommended the KEFFESO model to all parts of the country where there are oil and gas operations. Part of the plan is to engage oil and gas stakeholders in all the states. We are going to take this message to them. Many people complaining now do not know the opportunities that are available as far as the 3% PIA provision is concerned. I came today to tell them that it is important that we work together. The time has come for us to change our mindset as far as oil and gas are concerned. This is not just a forum to speak to KEFFESO or communities in Bayelsa but communities that produce gas and oil in the Niger Delta region,” he said.