Stakeholders seek upward review of PIA remittance to HCDTs

Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance (AKEJA), Clement Isong Foundation (CIF), State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, ActionAid Nigeria and other stakeholders around extractive justice sector have called for the amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021 such that the Three Percent host community trust remittance will be increased to Seven percent.

They also called for the amendment of Section 257 of the PIA to remove the provision reducing the 3 percent remittance in the event of pipeline vandalization, so that host communities are not penalized for security failures outside their control.

This was contained in a communique raised in Uyo at the end of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Natural Resource Governance, Just Transition, Environmental Justice and Community Accountability organized by the different organisations.

The Stakeholders noted that if necessary reviews are made on the PIA, host communities can adequately address the environmental challenges bedeviling them.

The communique in parts, “The Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 be amended to increase the host community trust remittance from 3 to 7 percent, to adequately address the environmental challenges facing host communities. Section 257 of the PIA should be amended to remove the provision reducing the 3 percent remittance in the event of pipeline vandalization.”

The Stakeholders said NOSDRA should be empowered to enforce implementation of their functions toward environmental safety and timely response to oil spill incidents

They also called on regulators to strengthen community participation in HCDTs ensuring at least 30% representation for women and youths. They added that a Framework for HCDTs that guarantees transparency, gender inclusion and annual public reporting as well as 30 percent backing for the inclusion of youths, women and PWDs in the HCDT structure is upheld.

The stakeholders also called on the Host Community Development Trusts to invest their resources in renewable energy, green skills, agroecology, community-owned energy projects, mangrove restoration and youth entrepreneurship, while replicating initiatives such as the Ibeno Green Youth Hub across oil-producing communities.

By Lovina Emole

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