Lagos — Concerned Energy Professionals in the Niger Delta (CEPND) wants the PIA Act amended to boost sustainability for the host communities and increase investment opportunities for the Federal and sub-national governments.
The Secretary of the group, Mr. Joseph Oladimeji says the group is already meeting with relevant government agencies and the Federal lawmakers for the amendment push.
Going by the global standards, most oil multinationals need to do more in terms of new energies and other programs to tackle climate change.
The Niger Delta youth deserves a more sustainable future. The current Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) is obviously not a perfect Act. The Chairman House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dekor Robinson had also pointed this out in the past.
Niger Delta communities are being ravaged by sea incursions and livelihoods especially fishing activities are almost non profitable due to climate change impacts.
President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope target is to attain 2 million barrels of oil production, and we hope that the unfortunate situation in River State will not cause a setback in terms of the daily oil production.
The world is racing towards Sustainable development goals as the Niger Delta cannot afford to be left behind.
We hereby call on President Tinubu to help secure the future of the Niger Delta in a more sustainable manner.
*Sam Omosanmi Lepe
