HOST COMMUNITIES YOUTH COUNCIL Of NIGERIA DEMANDS URGENT AMENDMENT OF PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACT

Abuja, Nigeria — April 2026

A concerned legal practitioner, Oscar Melfordekine Teinbo Esq., speaking from the perspective of oil and gas host communities in Nigeria, has strongly called for the urgent amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, describing certain provisions of the Act as unjust, unconstitutional, and detrimental to the welfare of host communities.

Aligning with the position of the Oil and Gas Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria, he drew attention to the controversial Section 257(2) of the Act, which permits deductions from Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) funds in cases of pipeline and other oil facility vandalism within community areas—irrespective of whether the affected communities are responsible.

According to him, “this provision imposes collective punishment on innocent communities and runs contrary to the fundamental principles of justice and constitutional democracy.”

He further noted that the provision violates key safeguards enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly:

Section 36(5): Presumption of innocence;

Section 44(1): Right to property.

“It is both unjust and illogical to hold host communities liable for acts over which they have no control,” he stated, emphasizing that such communities are neither vested with statutory authority nor adequately equipped to secure oil and gas infrastructure.

The statement stressed that the current legal framework unfairly burdens host communities while excluding them from meaningful participation in the petroleum value chain.

Key Demands

Oscar Melfordekine Teinbo Esq. outlined the following urgent demands:

Immediate repeal or amendment of Section 257(2) of the PIA to ensure that liability is strictly based on proven culpability; or

Formal transfer of pipeline and oil facility security responsibilities to host communities, supported by clear legal authority and sustainable funding mechanisms.

Call for Structural Reforms

Beyond surveillance responsibilities, he advocated for comprehensive reforms to guarantee long-term empowerment and equity for host communities, including:

Equity participation in oil and gas licenses (OMLs, OPLs);

Inclusion in upstream and midstream operations, alongside subsidization of modular refinery licensing;

Enhanced representation in key regulatory institutions within the petroleum sector.

He urged stakeholders across the Niger Delta region to prioritize unity and strategic economic advancement rather than competition over limited surveillance contracts.

“Pipeline surveillance is survival, but ownership is power,” he concluded. “Justice for host communities is non-negotiable.”

This call underscores the growing demand for a more inclusive, fair, and constitutionally compliant petroleum governance framework in Nigeria.