The Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria (SYFN) has embarked on public enlightenment campaign aimed at creating proper awareness about the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) among host communities in oil-producing areas.
The event, which took place on Friday 18th April, 2025, was tagged “Let’s Embrace the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)”.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Talk-Shop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Aradel Holdings PLC, traditional rulers, community development leaders, women and youth leaders alongside other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.
In his address, the National President of the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria, Amb Comrade Emeni Ibe, hinted that the primary focus of the discussion was the enormous impact of the Petroleum Industry Act on the host communities, including strategies for effective implementation and opportunities for sustainable development.
Amb Comrade Emeni Ibe thanked the participants for honouring the invitation despite the short notice. He particularly thanked the host communities to Aradel Holdings Plc for their cooperation with the company. He equally appreciated the Royal Father of the Day, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, Eze Igbu Orlukwor Kingdom.
The resource person, Mr. Charles Uffort, who is the State Support Officer of Connected Development, was also applauded by Amb. Comrade Emeni Ibe for driving the topic home and opening the minds of the people to the spirit and letters of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The National President specifically applauded the management of Aradel Holdings Plc, the MD/CEO, Adegbite Falade, the Community Affairs Manager, the Cashes Manager and the Security Manager for reposing confidence and assisting in no small measures to the successful hosting of the enlightenment campaign.
Amb. Ibe used the opportunity afforded by Talk-Shop to reaffirm the conferment of award of excellence to the MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc, Mr. Falade and the Community Affairs Manager for the great job since assumption of office. He said that the PIA, if implemented properly, will bring about peaceful and cordial relationship between the host communities and the companies operating in the region.
Following concerns raised by the host communities, the National President of the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria assured that he will reach out to the companies on the percentage of accruals as laid down in PIA.
It will be recalled that the Petroleum Industry Act was signed into law in 2021, and was designed to improve governance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector while ensuring that host communities receive fair benefits from oil exploration activities. However, several communities remain uninformed about their rights and entitlements under the law.