PIA: Reps urge oil companies to comply with extant laws

The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously adopted a motion urging the oil companies operating in Imo to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

Our correspondent reports that Section 3 of Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provides that oil companies comply with the host communities Development Trust provisions.

This resolution followed the motion of urgent national importance moved by Rep. Chike Okafor representing Ehime Mbano/Obowo/Ihitte-Uboma federal constituency.

The motion is entitled “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.

Okafor said that the essence was to complement the efforts of Imo Gov. Hope Uzodimma in ensuring compliance of the oil companies with the extant laws.

Okafor who cited relevant sections of the PIA 2021, said that Section 28 requires that oil companies establish operational base in host communities.

He explained that such is tailored to enable them provide employment and other development benefits to the indigenes of their host communities.

Okafor, therefore, decried what he called “flagrant disregard” of these laws and called on the House to take legislative action aimed at ensuring compliance.

He specifically mentioned some of the companies namely Seplat Energy Plc, Nigeria Delta Petroleum Resources, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Company Co. Ltd etc.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to relevant committees for further legislative action.