Otuaro’s C’ttee Calls For Abolition Of Obnoxious Oil And Gas Laws

Deputy Governor of Delta state, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro’s led Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities have call for the abrogation of all obnoxious oil and gas laws which confer total monopoly of ownership of oil and gas on the Federal Government to the exclusion of host communities.

He made the call in a communique issued after 2-days Conference on Securing Oil and Gas Installations in Delta state (Phase1) held at Government House Annex, Warri.

Otuaro said that the laws had over the years created strain between oil companies and their host, adding they have completely alienated host communities from being part owners of the commodities buried beneath their land.

He mentioned such oil and gas laws that should be abrogated to include, Oil Pipeline Act of 1959, Oil Terminal Dues Act of 1965, Petroleum Act of 1963, Land Use Act 1978, Associated Gas Reinjection Act 1979 and the Land (Title Vesting) Act of 1993, among others.

While reading the communique issued by the committee after the conference, Otuaro urged International Oil Companies (IOCs), to involve host communities in securing pipeline and other installations in their territories.

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“Conference is of the firm belief that no amount of force and deployment of Nigeria’s instruments of coercion can for example fully secure oil and gas facilities as much as host communities would do.

He however urged state and federal government to ensure that oil companies comply with best practices both in their relationship with communities and in the technical standards of their operations.

Otuaro said that toward diversifying the Delta state economy, the conference have suggested a comprehensive agricultural policy that would encourage youths into agriculture as means of livelihood.

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