Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, called for increased cooperation among stakeholders and host communities to foster prosperity in 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, Ethan Uzamere.
The event was aimed at rallying oil and gas stakeholders on effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and developing Edo State’s policy for the industry.
Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Monday Osaigbovo, said the purpose of the engagement was to freely discuss the implementation of the PIA for sustainable peace.
He said: “The oil and gas sector, to date, is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. And as such, there is a need to evaluate its contributions to communities and the state. This forum will afford stakeholders opportunities to discuss ways to strengthen the process of PIA implementation.”
Obaseki further reiterated the commitment of his administration to improving the lives of residents in the three oil-producing local councils of Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia North-East.
In his opening remarks, Uzamere said the state government is at the forefront in the implementation of the PIA and that the ministry is utilising the forum to set a foundation for the development of a comprehensive working policy for the sector.
He said: “The Act seeks to promote 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 fuel importation and subsidies, while strengthening the value of the naira and creating job opportunities in the petroleum value chain, among
