A group from Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Rivers, Cross-River, Delta, Imo, Abia, and Ondo States, operating under the auspices of the Niger Delta Community Youths Association, has voiced strong opposition to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) recent awarding of oil bloc licenses to corporations and individuals who are not native to the Niger Delta.
In addition to their stance, some irate Niger Delta investors have petitioned Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, through Blessing Agbomhere Esq of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners, their legal counsel, to immediately reverse the 2022–2023 mini bid round and the 2024 licensing round for oil blocs in the Niger Delta.
As required by current laws, such as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the 1999 constitution as amended, the Niger Delta community youths, who are spearheading protests in Yenagoa, Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Owerri, Umuahia, Akure, and Abuja, are demanding a new licensing bid that would guarantee that 40% of Nigeria’s oil bloc is given to investors who are native to the Niger Delta.
It is unacceptable that their ancestral lands, which have been devastated and degraded by oil exploration, are being given to outsiders, according to a statement jointly signed by Comrade Embale Jonathan, the Association’s Youth Leader; Hon. Omeizah Ogumah, his deputy; PRO Boma Doreye; and Comrade Sunny Ifijen, the ex-officio.
“The recent barefaced demeaning pattern of allocating oil-prospecting licenses to non-Niger-delta interests is an unacceptable, unjustifiable, and anti-developmental trend of a high-wired plot against the people of Niger Delta.
“The action of the Nigerian Up-stream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is deviant to the intent and spirit of the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which recognizes indigenous interests in the oil and gas industry. Hence, such non-inclusion of indigenous interests signals exclusion and non-transparency that will be counter-productive for the Oil and gas industry and the entire nation.
“As indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta region, we have been historically marginalised, exploited, and excluded by the oil and gas industry. Our communities have suffered environmental degradation, pollution, and health hazards due to the activities of oil and gas companies. Yet, we receive pittances in benefits from both Government and internal Oil Companies.” the statement read in parts.
As a result, the group issued a three-point demand: the immediate review of oil prospecting licenses to ensure that at least 40% of the oil-blocs are owned by indigenous people of the Niger Delta; the review of oil-bloc owners’ commitments to environmental remediation of contaminated waters and lands; the provision of compensation to impacted communities; and the enforcement of licensees’ adherence to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), particularly with regard to employment, training initiatives, and support for regional businesses.
It called on the Nigerian Senate and other relevant bodies to consider the requests carefully and strive toward a society that is more just and equal for all Nigerians.