PIA: CEPEJ, Mulade Facilitates Implementation for OML-38 Host Communities in Delta
By Ezekiel Kagbala
The Petroleum Industry Act has gotten a boost in the Niger Delta region with a Nigerian oil and gas firm, Platform Petroleum Limited, operators of OML-38 in the Egbaoma field, formally handing over the PIA Needs, Assessment and Community Development Plan to the host community for implementation in the area.
The presentation took place on Tuesday following the oil company's receipt of the assessment reports from an advocacy group in the Niger Delta region, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sheriff Mulade.
The managing director of the oil company, Mr. John Anim who was represented at the occasion by the base manager, Barr. Eka-Iloma Anioye, noted that the PIA, as a legal contract, has formally replaced the corporate social responsibilities that were based merely on bargaining power between host communities and oil company operators.
According to him, the PIA mandates the Host Communities to establish Development Trusts (HCDTs), which will guide oil and gas company (OGC) investments in the community development.
He disclosed that the assessment report to the four Host Communities in the Egbaoma Marginal Field contains a five-year Development Plan for the host communities.
He said, "Upon winning the 2023 marginal field Bid round, Platform Petroleum Limited and its JV partner, Newcross Petroleum became the license holders of the Egbaoma Marginal Field situated at OML-38. Egbaoma Marginal Field was formally known as Asuokpu/Umutu marginal field until 2010 when the name change was effected. The Oil bearing communities are Ogbeuzu/Adonishaka; Umueziogoni/Obi-iloh; Umutu and Akoku-Uno".
He then assured of full implementation of the PIA for the benefit of the OML-38 host community.
Speaking earlier the National Coordinator, of CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade, who facilitated the gathering noted that the Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, which was signed into law on August 21, 2021, "is one of the boldest attempts to overhaul the petroleum sector in Nigeria".
He stated that the PIA seeks to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal frameworks for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry.
"If diligently implemented, it will help facilitate the development of host communities and the economy of Nigeria by attracting and creating investment opportunities for local and foreign investors", he said.
Dr. Godwin Orhadawhe, a member of the Board of Trustees in CEPEJ, then gave the historic analysis of the PIA at the event tagged 'Handing over ceremony, Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Needs Assessment and Community Development Plan (CDP) to Host Communities in OML-38 operated by Platform Petroleum Limited (PPL)'.
In attendance at the occasion were top government functionaries from the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas, representatives of oil companies, Community leaders from Adonishaka/Ogbe-Uzu, Akoku-Uno, Umutu, Umuosole (Obi-Iloh)/ Umueziogoli and other stakeholders including security agents from the military, police and other para-military agencies.
