PANDEF Commends Reforms in Oil, Gas Sector, Seeks Inclusion of More Stakeholders in Niger Delta

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed appreciation for the recent reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly the appointment of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

According to PANDEF, Mrs. Eyesan’s appointment is a step in the right direction, given her exceptional track record in the sector. “Indeed, this particular appointment could be described as putting a square peg in a square hole,” the statement read.

This is according to a statement signed by its national chairman Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali and Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Publicity Secretary during the weekend.

PANDEF believed that these appointments will take the Nigerian oil and gas sector on a quantum leap into the future. The forum is calling for more appointments of Niger Delta professionals in top positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the industry at large.

The statement read, “The news of the recent reforms in the regulatory arms of Nigeria’s oil sector has come to the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and indeed the entire Niger Delta with great appreciation and expectation.

“We particularly applaud the appointment of one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas sector, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as CEO of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Indeed, this particular appointment could be described as putting a square peg in a square hole, and we thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this.

“Mrs. Eyesan, a seasoned economist, has left her mark in the Nigerian petroleum industry, having previously served as Executive Vice President (Upstream) in NNPC. In all her professional life, she has always left a mark of diligence, excellence and impact, wherever she served. She showcases a panache, making all Nigerians, and indeed, our womenfolk exceptionally proud of her service to the country.

“It is our belief that, with her in charge of upstream and corresponding appointment of another competent Nigerian, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigeria Mid-Stream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Mr. President is set to take the Nigerian oil and gas sector on a quantum leap into the future.

“We, the people of the Niger Delta, are greatly impressed with these changes, and hope that the holistic reforms would be sustained. This is the only way to ensure that the oil and gas industry continues to play the paramount role which it has been doing for the common economic interest of all Nigerians and places Nigeria as a dominant player in the global energy architecture.

“PANDEF again takes this opportunity to express the hope that, as Mr. President will continue to follow through with these reforms in the sector, more sons and daughters of the Niger Delta from where the country has the highest number of experienced professionals in the sector, would be brought into other top positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation {NNPC} and the industry at large. Furthermore, we look forward to sustained efforts of the Federal Government in putting in place a robust programme for the environmental remediation of the Niger Delta. The Federal Government must go beyond Ogoni Clean-up to ensure that there is budgetary provision on an annual basis to clean up the damaged environments of the Niger Delta in a sustained manner.

“These changes present another opportunity to call on the Federal Government to put in place a robust programme to promote the building of modular refineries in the Niger Delta. In 2018, the government had committed itself to setting up a Modular Refinery Development Fund, similar to the Solid Minerals Development Fund. This must be urgently looked into and encouraged as a way of carrying more host communities along in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), creating more economic activities in the Niger Delta and ensuring that the sector has greater stability for the overall good of the country.

“Finally, as the apex body representing host communities, PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to working closely with Federal and State governments in mobilising our people to ensure that the right enabling environment exists for this important sector to continue to play its deserved role”, it added.