The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda has stated that, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) passed in 2021 would help reposition the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Aduda made the remark while receiving a delegation from an NGO, the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (OLOGEDI), who paid him a “thank you” visit in Abuja on Tuesday, 16th May, 2023.
The PIA, according to the Permanent Secretary, was extremely desirable and the entire industry was happy about it. He however noted that, in the course of the implementation of the provisions of the act, observed flaws, gaps and inadequacies were being looked into. Consequently, the Ministry would coordinate all of these with a view to initiating the process of amendments to the concerned sections of the act in order to entrench a better oil and gas industry.
Speaking on the impact of the PIA on the host communities, Aduda posited that specific provisions in the act had given impetus to the oil producing areas. He noted that the PIA was robust with its engagements with the host communities in the areas of funding through the Host Communities Development Fund, and in ensuring the participation and inclusion of the locals.
The Permanent Secretary reiterated that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has the mandate of policy formulation, supervision, and monitoring and evaluation of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
In this regard, he informed that a policy document has been developed and that a working group was looking at it after which there would be a stakeholders’ consultation and perhaps, an approval of the Federal Executive Council would be gotten for the implementation of the policy, adding that, this would perhaps, cement the relationship between the Ministry and her agencies.
Earlier in her speech, Lady Faith Onome Wilkinson, who led the delegation from OLOGEDI, stated that they were mindful and appreciative of the fact that the Permanent Secretary has used his position to better the lives of many Nigerians.
She said, the thank you visit was in appreciation of the endorsement and support the Permanent Secretary gave to OLOGEDI towards the successful execution of the Oil and Gas Stakeholders Festival held in February 2023, in Abuja.
The visit was witnessed by the Director General, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA), Dr. Yau Usman Idris, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in the Ministry, Mr. Musa Sa’eed Talle, Director of Information, Mrs. Enefaa Bob-Manuel and the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Horatius Egua.
The high point of the visit was the presentation and conferment of “The Dependable Oil and Gas Pillar of our Times Award” on the Permanent Secretary.
Signed,
Enefaa Bob-Manuel (Mrs.)
Director (Information)
