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Tension As Reps Move To Expose Oil Companies Violating PIA, NOGICD Act In Imo.
The House of Representatives has mandated its relevant committees to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged violations of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and Taxes and Levies Act by oil and gas companies operating in Imo State. The lawmakers also directed the committees to assess the level of implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance, in which the House urged all oil and gas companies in Imo State to comply fully with the provisions of the NOGICD Act 2010, especially those relating to the employment of qualified indigenous personnel, award of contracts to local firms, and the establishment of operational offices within host communities.
The lawmakers also emphasized the need for immediate compliance with the Host Communities Development Trusts as outlined in the PIA 2021, and directed that the Imo State Internal Revenue Service be granted unrestricted access to company premises for lawful tax assessments. They further called for constructive engagement between the oil firms and host community leaders to foster peace and mutual understanding.
Leading the debate, Hon. Okafor noted that the NOGICD Act was enacted to promote Nigerian participation in the oil and gas sector through the utilization of local human and material resources, while the PIA 2021 provides a clear framework for equitable benefit sharing, host community development, and environmental sustainability. He added that the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act empowers state governments to collect specific taxes necessary for funding infrastructure and social projects.
Okafor named several oil and gas operators in the affected areas, including Seplat Energy Plc (OML 53), Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (OML 54), Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited (OML 16), Associate Oil & Gas Limited/Dansaki Petroleum Limited, Chorus Energy Limited, TotalEnergies/NNPC Joint Venture, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
He raised concerns about continuous reports of non-compliance, particularly the refusal of these companies to establish operational offices in Imo State as required by law. He also accused them of neglecting to employ qualified indigenes or award contracts to local businesses, in violation of the NOGICD Act.
The lawmaker further alleged that some companies had obstructed the Imo State Government and its Internal Revenue Service from performing their legal duties, including tax collection, while also failing to implement the Host Community Development Trusts mandated under the PIA.
He warned that the persistent disregard for these legal obligations has caused deep frustration and anger among host communities, leading to growing agitation and the risk of social unrest. Okafor cautioned that if urgent action is not taken, these tensions could escalate into violent protests, threatening national security, damaging vital oil infrastructure, disrupting production, and destabilizing the economy.
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