Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has called for an increased cooperation among stakeholders and host communities to foster prosperity in the oil and gas producing areas of the state.
Obaseki made the call during a one-day stakeholders forum organised by the Edo State commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Hon. Ethan Uzamere at the weekend in Benin which was aimed at rallying oil and gas stakeholders to brainstorm ways to ensure effective implementation of the Petroleum lndustry Act (PIA) and to set foundation to develop Edo State policy for the industry.
Obaseki, who was represented at the event by the commissioner for local government, Monday Osaigbovo, noted that the purpose of the stakeholders’ engagement was to discuss freely the implementation of the PIA for sustainable peace.
According to him, “The oil and gas sector till date is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and as such, there is need to evaluate its contributions to communities and the state at large. This forum will afford stakeholders the opportunities to freely discuss ways to strengthen the process of PIA implementation.
Obaseki further reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve the lives of residents in the three oil producing local government areas of Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia North-East.
In his opening remarks, convener of the forum, Hon. Ethan Uzamere stated that the state government was at the forefront in the implementation of the PIA and that the ministry is utilizing the forum to set foundation for the development of a comprehensive working policy for the sector.
According to him, “The Act seeks to promote the ease of doing business in the oil and gas industry, regulating the midstream and downstream sector, as well as making clear the roles of all players in the sector. It provides for fast approvals of licences to investors, removes bureaucratic bottlenecks to end fuel importation and subsidies while strengthening the value of the naira and creating job opportunities in the petroleum value chain, among others.”
Uzamere also stressed on the host community development trust, a provision of the PIA, where he stated that the trust would guarantee benefits for the communities only if cooperation and peace was guaranteed in the areas of operations.
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