An oil and gasoline watchdog, the Niger Delta Accountability and Useful resource Safety Network, NDARPN, has refuted claims by the Home of Representatives Committee on the South South Growth Fee alleging that Nigeria’s failure to implement key Petroleum Trade Act, PIA, funds has disadvantaged the area of over ₦1 trillion.
In a press release issued on Friday in Port Harcourt, the group’s president, Comrade Ebikabo West, described the committee’s assertions as “sensational, deceptive and doubtlessly damaging to the funding stabilisation the PIA has steadily cultivated”.
West mentioned the PIA’s implementation by the respective regulatory our bodies, significantly within the administration of host group growth funds and environmental obligations, has been impactful and extra clear than any pre-PIA framework.
He warned lawmakers in opposition to political statements that would “erode investor confidence or disrupt the fragile progress achieved thus far”.
“It’s merely inaccurate to counsel that the Niger Delta has been denied trillions as a result of the funds usually are not being operated within the dramatic style being portrayed,” West mentioned.
“The host communities growth provisions of the PIA are being successfully and rigorously monitored. The regulatory framework now ensures that communities profit instantly, with clear oversight and traceability.”
In line with him, the PIA created enforceable obligations that regulators now observe with far stronger compliance mechanisms than existed earlier than.
He added that the narrative of “non-implementation” ignores verifiable progress throughout host communities and environmental administration.
“We have to be cautious to not weaponise environmental issues or misrepresent regulatory processes. Such portrayals undermine the credibility of reforms and weaken the collective battle for environmental justice,” West warned.
He additionally emphasised that Nigeria is steadily rebuilding the arrogance of multinational oil firms that exited the nation because of years of regulatory instability, conflicting directives and institutional strain that after “strangled funding”.
“After many years of uncertainty, Nigeria now has a steady legislative and financial surroundings. It’s only clever to permit the related companies to hold out their mandates strictly inside the dictates of the PIA. Any try to tug them into political theatrics will jeopardise the gradual return of investor confidence,” the group added.
NDARPN mentioned the Nationwide Meeting’s oversight function is essential, however have to be evidence-based and never pushed by assumptions able to creating confusion or stress within the sector.
“What the Niger Delta wants is consolidation, not disruption. Let the establishments empowered by the PIA proceed their work with out undue strain. That’s the surest path to accountability, environmental safety and sustainable growth,” West suggested.
