The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has publicly endorsed the ongoing reforms within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly commending the restructuring of its regulatory agencies. This influential socio-cultural body, representing host communities across the Niger Delta, expressed significant optimism that these strategic changes will substantially reposition the industry for future growth and efficiency. Their support comes amidst a series of key appointments aimed at revitalising the nation’s crucial energy landscape, signalling a collaborative approach to resource management and regional development.

Speaking from Abuja, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, Chairman of PANDEF, highlighted the appointment of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing the sector. Mrs. Eyesan, described as one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas domain, is also serving as Executive Vice President, Upstream, in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. This dual role underscores a focused effort to streamline operations and enhance regulatory oversight in the upstream segment.

PANDEF also lauded the appointment of Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), further reinforcing the government’s comprehensive reform agenda. These high-profile appointments are perceived by the forum as critical steps towards establishing a robust and transparent regulatory framework essential for attracting investment and ensuring operational excellence across the entire petroleum value chain. The forum believes these leadership selections reflect a dedication to meritocracy and expertise.

Emphasising its role as an apex body for the Niger Delta, PANDEF pledged to actively mobilise its communities to foster an enabling environment for the oil and gas sector. Dr. Igali reiterated the forum’s commitment to working closely with both federal and state governments, ensuring that the region’s people contribute constructively to the industry’s continued success. Such collaboration is deemed vital for maintaining stability and facilitating the seamless operation of critical infrastructure within the resource-rich delta.

Beyond its endorsement of the reforms, PANDEF issued a pressing call for the Federal Government to institute a sustainable environmental remediation programme for the Niger Delta. The forum urged for an annual budgetary allocation specifically dedicated to cleaning up the extensively damaged environments across the region, arguing that such a provision is fundamental for sustaining peace and fostering development. This demand signifies a long-standing environmental justice concern that underpins the relationship between the communities and the extractive industry.

Dr. Igali underscored that the government’s efforts must extend beyond the well-known Ogoni clean-up initiative, which, while significant, addresses only a fraction of the widespread ecological devastation. He stressed the imperative for a holistic and sustained approach to environmental restoration, acknowledging decades of oil exploration and exploitation that have left vast swathes of the Niger Delta heavily polluted. Rivers, farmlands, and fishing grounds have suffered immense degradation, severely impacting the livelihoods and health of local populations.

The forum’s advocacy highlights the deep connection between environmental neglect and socio-economic instability in the Niger Delta. Addressing the ecological damage through consistent funding and action is viewed as a critical component of any genuine peace-building strategy. A restored environment would not only improve the quality of life for residents but also potentially reduce the grievances that have historically fuelled unrest and disrupted oil production in the region.

PANDEF conveyed its expectation that these holistic reforms would be sustained, ensuring the oil and gas industry continues to play its paramount role in Nigeria’s economic landscape. The forum asserted that a revitalised and environmentally responsible sector is crucial for the common economic interest of all Nigerians and for solidifying the nation’s position as a dominant player in the global energy architecture. This vision integrates economic prosperity with environmental stewardship.

The commitment from PANDEF to collaborate with government agencies and mobilise local populations for the success of the reforms signals a potential shift towards greater synergy between host communities and the industry. This cooperative stance, coupled with robust demands for environmental justice, reflects a mature engagement aimed at balancing national economic imperatives with the welfare and environmental rights of the Niger Delta people.

Ultimately, PANDEF’s dual message of support for sector reforms and insistence on annual environmental funding presents a comprehensive framework for sustainable development in the Niger Delta. It challenges the Federal Government to not only streamline its oil and gas operations but also to address the ecological debt accumulated over decades, thereby paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for the region and the nation.

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Keywords: PANDEF, Niger Delta oil reforms, Environmental clean-up budget, Nigeria oil and gas sector, NUPRC appointments, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Niger Delta host communities, Petroleum industry regulation