Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has picked holes in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, over the exclusion of States and Local governments from the 3% royalty for host communities, which allowed the federal government to deal directly with the host communities, describing it as a time bomb.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the new commander of Operation Delta Safe OPDS, Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira this Tuesday in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri urged the new administration of President Bola Tinubu to review the PIA and address the flaws in the legislation to tackle ongoing crisis between oil companies and host communities.
He further notes that it was an aberration for the federal government to deal directly with host communities, excluding the state and local government councils which are saddled with the task of intervening whenever there were crises between oil companies and host communities.
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Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira says Operation Delta Safe has so far recorded about 80% success in its operations since it was established which has translated to increase in the country’s current rating on oil production.
Commander Ferreira pledged that the OPDS will continue to ensure secure and safe environment to enable economic activities to thrive and hopes that the cordial relationship between the state, the people, and the OPDS remains.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
