Appeal for Holistic Review of Development in Oil-Producing Communities

In as much as it is commendable and highly appreciated, the recent Annual Oil-Producing Communities Stakeholders’ Meeting organized by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Henry Okafor deserves recognition. His leadership is clearly embedded with initiatives capable of changing the narrative in hydrocarbon-host communities. Indeed, his antecedents as Managing Director of ISOPADEC remain notable—where he redirected what was once characterized by embezzlement into empowerment and development programs for oil-producing communities. He is widely acknowledged as a man of vision, integrity, and commitment to wealth creation for the downtrodden.

At the said annual meeting, it was encouraging to see our leaders speak boldly against the operational styles of oil companies, with many accusing them of instigating crises through failure to adequately fulfill their corporate social responsibilities. Their advocacy for the 3% Host Community Fund as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is laudable. However, it is concerning that these same voices often go silent on the long-standing issues surrounding the 13% derivation and the 60% allocation managed through agencies such as ISOPADEC and NDDC over the years.

Does injustice, once institutionalized, become normalized—spreading silently like crude oil? The essence of the 13% derivation was to serve as a panacea to militancy, agitation, and underdevelopment in oil-producing areas. Today, despite billions of naira accruing to states, the reality on ground tells a different story: poorly organized or abandoned medical outreaches, inconsistent supply of drugs to healthcare facilities, and the denial of basic services that should be the birthright of oil-producing communities.

We must therefore not restrict our focus solely to the operations of oil companies. There is a pressing need to appeal to His Excellency to look beyond reports submitted by political leaders and conduct independent investigations into the real suffering of oil-producing communities.

Communities such as Agwa still lack access roads, functional hospitals, quality schools, and potable water. Even more disturbing are Assa, Obile, Awara, and Obitti—communities hosting what is reputed to be the largest gas plant in Africa—yet paradoxically ranking among the poorest and most neglected places. This is a painful irony and a collective failure that demands urgent attention.

True development will only be achieved when accountability, transparency, and genuine concern for the welfare of host communities guide both policy and implementation. The people deserve more than rhetoric; they deserve justice, infrastructure, healthcare, and hope.

Respectfully,
Prince Maduba Chukwudi Francis.
OluImo.
Oluimo.com.ng
Apostle of Truth