Yemisi Izuora
The Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, has said that the relative peace being experienced in Bayelsa State in the last 3 years is due to massive deployment of infrastructure by the Government but advised operating oil and gas companies to Key into that initiative to sustain the peace.
Diri, observed that International oil companies, IOCs have largely abdicated their responsibilities which may create opportunities for youths to obstruct their operations.
Addressing participants at the opening of the 4th Edition of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), with the theme, “Oil & Gas Industry – Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialization of Nigeria”, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Thursday, the Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Ibiere Jones, said the state government has been providing the enabling environment for the multinational oil companies to peaceful coexist with their host communities.
He expressed disappointment that major road networks and other key infrastructures are left to be taken care of by the State, while the oil companies abandon youth capacity building that would ordinarily prepare them for gainful employment.
Diri, also faulted the 30 per cent overhead provided by the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, for host community development while 30 per cent profit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, is dedicated to frontier basin development.
He disagreed with claims by key some government agencies that so much has been done to provide training for community youths.
Although, Section 235 of the PIA 2021 saddles the NUPRC with the responsibility of ensuring conducive and peaceful relationship among stakeholders within the Host Community through the implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust, Diri, said majority of youths in Bayelsa are jobless.
The NUPRC, however said that in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, has developed templates and gazetted regulations, which includes that of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).
The essence of the HCDT is to integrate oil bearing communities into the value chain and effectively cater for the development needs of impacted communities, thus positively curbing restiveness in such communities and offering enabling environment for operators to thrive.
This is expected to guarantee seamless operation, boost investor confidence, and provide enabling environment for sustainable development of the country’s hydrocarbon resources.
The NUPRC disclosed that over 60 Host Community Development Trust have been approved by the Commission which is indeed a milestone in the implementation of the PIA, 2021.