Lawmakers at the House of Representatives
House of Representatives has called out oil and gas companies operating in Imo State for allegedly breaching provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, urging immediate compliance with all relevant laws, particularly those relating to host communities.
During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion of urgent national importance moved by Rep. Chike Okafor (APC–Imo), representing Ehime Mbano/Obowo/Ihitte-Uboma Federal Constituency.
Titled “Flagrant Abuse of Due Process and Infringement of Local Content, Disobedience to Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and Non-Compliance with Tax Laws by Oil and Gas Companies Operating in Imo,” the motion raised concerns over persistent violations by several firms operating in the region.
Okafor pointed out that Section 3 of the PIA mandates oil companies to comply with the Host Communities Development Trust provisions—mechanisms intended to ensure that host communities benefit from extractive activities in their area.
> “The intention of the law is clear,” he said. “Companies are to establish operational bases within host communities to provide jobs and foster development. Unfortunately, many are flagrantly disregarding these obligations.”
Citing Section 28 of the Act, which requires oil companies to maintain a presence in their host communities, Okafor argued that failure to comply not only undermines the spirit of the law but also deprives local residents of the benefits rightly due to them.
He noted that while Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is making commendable efforts to enforce compliance, legislative backing is needed to compel oil firms to follow through.
Okafor specifically mentioned Seplat Energy Plc, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, and Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Company Ltd, among others, as companies allegedly failing to comply with the Act.
The motion received full support from members, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referring the matter to the appropriate House Committees for further investigation and legislative action.
NAN
