By Solomon OKPO
The Senate on Tuesday received a petition from host communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States alleging sustained violations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by key regulatory bodies and Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy. The petition was presented during plenary by Senator Ekong Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South.
Senator Sampson, while laying the petition before the Senate, said the affected communities accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Accugas of neglecting statutory obligations mandated by the PIA. These obligations include host community development, environmental remediation, and adequate corporate social responsibility.
According to the petition, the agencies and operator have failed to establish Host Community Development Trust accounts in the names of the respective communities, a requirement intended to drive local infrastructure development and support social initiatives. The petitioners said the prolonged non-implementation has worsened tensions in the area, undermined trust, and deprived the communities of their rightful benefits as oil- and gas-producing entities.
The communities called for full compliance with all relevant provisions of the PIA, including the creation of functional development trusts, enforcement of environmental management plans, and the adoption of transparent and inclusive mechanisms for community engagement. They stressed that proper implementation of the Act is essential to peace, stability, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.
After confirming that no legal limitations barred consideration of the matter, the Senate referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for further investigation and report.
