— .As protests break but in Niger Delta States

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A group under the aegis of Niger Delta Community Youths Association based in Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Rivers, Cross-River, Delta, Imo, Abia and Ondo States have expressed strong objection to the recent allocation of oil bloc licenses by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to Corporate entities and individuals that are not indigenes of the Niger-Delta.

Their position is in tandem with a petition addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio through Blessing Agbomhere Esq of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners, legal counsel to some aggrieved Niger Delta investors who are demanding an immediate reversal of the 2022/23 mini bid round and 2024 licensing round for oil blocs in the Niger Delta region.

The Niger Delta community youths, who are leading protests in various states capital of Yenagoa, Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Owerri, Umuahia, Akure and Abuja are calling for a fresh licensing bid that would ensure that 40 percent of Nigeria’s oil bloc is allocated to investors that are indigenous to the Niger-Delta region as stipulated in extant laws, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the 1999 constitution as amended.

A statement jointly signed by the Youth leader of the association, Comrade Embale Jonathan; his deputy, Hon. Omeizah Ogumah; the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Boma Doreye; and Ex-Officio, Comrade Sunny Ifijen said it is unacceptable that their ancestral lands, which has been ravaged and degraded by oil exploration are being handed over to outsiders.

According to the youth group, “The recent barefaced demeaning pattern of allocating oil-prospecting licenses to non-Niger-delta interest is an unacceptable, unjustifiable, and anti-developmental trend of a high-wired plot against the people of Niger-Delta.

“The action of the Nigeria Up-stream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is in deviant to intent and spirit of the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which recognizes indigenous interests in the oil and gas industry. Hence, such non inclusion of indigenous interests signals exclusion and non-transparency that will be counter-productive for the Oil and gas industry and the entire nation.

“As indigenous peoples of the Niger-Delta region, we have been historically marginalized, exploited, and excluded by the oil and gas industry.

“Our communities have suffered environmental degradation, pollution, and health hazards due to the activities of oil and gas companies. Yet, we receive pittances in benefits, from both Government, and internal Oil Companies.”

The group in a three point demand is seeking immediate review of the oil-prospecting licenses to reflect at least 40 percent of the number of oil-blocs for indigenes of Niger-Delta, a review of

commitment of oil-bloc owners to environmental remediation of polluted waters and lands, and provide compensation to affected communities and enforcement of compliance in corporate social responsibility (CSR) of licenced oil-bloc owners, especially in employments, training programs, and support for local business in the region.

It urged the Nigerian senate and other necessary agencies to take the demands seriously and work towards a more equitable and just society for all Nigerians.