The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is set to hold a crucial one-day sensitization program on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in Delta State. The event, which is slated for Wednesday, April 3, 2025, will take place at the Ndokwa East Local Government Council Hall in Aboh, starting at 10:00 AM.
The initiative, organized by Mecco and Marine Holdings Limited on behalf of NUPRC, seeks to engage stakeholders, particularly the sons and daughters of the Ndokwa East Petroleum communities, in discussions on the progress and impact of the PIA. The objective is to ensure that host communities benefit directly from the socio-economic opportunities provided by petroleum operations.
A key aspect of the program is to gather actionable intelligence on the activities of host communities and assess compliance with the provisions of the PIA, particularly Chapter 3, which focuses on community development and welfare. The event also aims to provide the NUPRC with timely and accurate information regarding any non-compliance by Host Communities Development Trustees (HCDTs) or settlors, in line with applicable laws.
The statement emphasized that registration and documentation for participants will begin promptly at 9:00 AM, with guests expected to be seated by 9:30 AM.
The sensitization event is expected to be a significant step towards strengthening the partnership between the NUPRC and local communities, ensuring that the benefits of Nigeria’s petroleum wealth are more equitably distributed.
The NUPRC’s efforts in this regard come at a critical time when ensuring compliance with the PIA is increasingly seen as key to achieving sustainable development in oil-producing areas.