PANDEF Hails Oil, Gas Sector Reforms, Calls for Greater Inclusion of Niger Delta Professionals
By Ezekiel Kagbala
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has welcomed the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, describing recent appointments in the industry’s regulatory bodies as a positive step capable of repositioning the sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Publicity Secretary, Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it termed well-considered leadership choices in the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the petroleum industry.
The forum particularly commended the appointment of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), describing it as “putting a square peg in a square hole.” PANDEF noted that Mrs. Eyesan, a seasoned economist and former Executive Vice President (Upstream) at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has consistently distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and impactful service.
According to PANDEF, her appointment, alongside that of Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, signals a strong commitment by the Federal Government to drive far-reaching reforms in the oil and gas sector.
The Niger Delta socio-political body said it was encouraged by the reforms and expressed hope that they would be sustained to ensure that the industry continues to play its critical role in Nigeria’s economic development while strengthening the country’s standing in the global energy landscape.
PANDEF, however, urged the Federal Government to deepen the reforms by ensuring greater inclusion of qualified professionals from the Niger Delta in top positions within the NNPC and the wider oil and gas industry, noting that the region has produced a large pool of experienced experts in the sector.
The forum also renewed its call for comprehensive environmental remediation of the Niger Delta, stressing that the clean-up efforts should go beyond Ogoniland. It appealed for annual budgetary provisions to address environmental degradation across oil-producing communities in a sustained and structured manner.
In addition, PANDEF called on the Federal Government to revive and implement plans for a Modular Refinery Development Fund, similar to the Solid Minerals Development Fund, to promote the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta. It said such an initiative would enhance host community participation in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), stimulate economic activities in the region, and contribute to long-term stability in the sector.
Reaffirming its role as the apex body representing host communities, PANDEF pledged to continue working with federal and state governments to mobilise Niger Delta communities and ensure a peaceful and enabling environment for the oil and gas industry to thrive for the benefit of all Nigerians.
