Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Urges Urgent Review of Petroleum Industry Act Amid Niger Delta Conflicts

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has renewed calls for an urgent review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by the Federal Government to address conflicts in Niger Delta oil communities linked to the Act’s implementation. Speaking at the triple celebration of King Bubaraye Dakolo in Yenagoa, Governor Diri highlighted how the exclusion of states and local governments from managing host community funds under the PIA has led to disputes and unrest. He urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the reduction of the community share from 10% to 3% and to restore involvement of state and local administrations for better accountability and crisis prevention.

Celebrating King Bubaraye Dakolo—chairman of the Bayelsa traditional rulers council and an acclaimed literary figure—Governor Diri praised him as a rare king and called for his books “The Pirates of the Gulf” and “The Kingfisher” to be included in Bayelsa’s educational curriculum. The governor launched the books with a donation of N100 million on behalf of the state government.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attending the event, acknowledged the difficulties host communities face in accessing the Petroleum Industry Trust Fund due to internal litigations and conflicts. He urged an end to illegal refining activities that damage the environment. The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, also commended King Dakolo’s contributions to documenting the Niger Delta struggle and pledged to support educational distribution of the books.

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Governor Diri’s critique of the PIA echoes earlier statements calling for stronger roles for state governments in managing oil funds to reduce conflict and improve community development. He emphasized the need for revisiting the Act to prevent escalation of crises in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, highlighting the importance of local governance in ensuring stability and progress for host communities.

This renewed demand for PIA amendment comes amidst ongoing nationwide discussions about the law’s effectiveness and fairness in resource management and community benefits in oil-producing areas