The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the clear disregard for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010 by oil and gas companies operating in Imo State. The motion was recently sponsored by Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Dr Benjamin Kalu.
The House ordered its Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring to summon the chief executives of seven oil companies affected by the policy.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service to address the alleged infractions, were all invited as well.
According to lawmakers, the oil firms must comply fully with the NOGICD Act’s provisions on indigenous employment, contract awards, and establishment of operational offices in host communities.
Hon. Deacon Chike urged compliance with the Host Communities Development Trust requirements under the PIA 2021 and directed the firms to grant tax officials access for lawful revenue activities.
Lamenting that all the oil and gas companies operating in Imo do not have functional offices within the state at the moment, he described the situation as an obvious violation of existing laws.
“When a section of our citizenry is subjected to such brazen exploitation and the laws we have enacted are treated with contempt, we must act decisively.
We cannot preside over a nation where corporate profit is placed above human dignity and constitutional order,” he said.
He further emphasized the need to restore the rule of law, protect citizens in oil-producing communities, and reaffirm the National Assembly’s authority in ensuring compliance with statutory provisions.
Okafor concluded by urging the House to support the motion fully, noting that enforcing compliance would not just help the people of Imo but also promote accountability and fairness across all oil-producing regions.
