Akpabio, Lokpobiri, Uniting N/Delta for Greater Nigeria – HOSTCOM

**Passes Vote of Confidence on the Duo

**Describes Calls for Removal Dead on Arrival

Barely one year in office of the Tinubu presidency and equally Godswill Obot Akpabio leading the National Assembly, the leadership of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM says Nigeria is on the right trajectory to all-round development.

National President of HOSTCOM, Dr Benjamin Tamaramiebi Style in a press briefing in Abuja Tuesday, says HOSTCOM as a body sitting on vantage position to give unbiased account of activities in the nation’s oil and gas industry at the community level, thumps up the collaborative efforts by the Minister of state for Petroleum resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in addressing crude oil theft and bunkering in the Niger Delta and engaging youths and leadership of host communities to ensure peace strives to boost daily oil production are commendable.

However, HOSTCOM frowns at statements from some disgruntled, portfolio carrying individuals, calling for the removal or redeployment of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as a move against the interest of the Niger Delta and a wrong signal to return the nation’s oil production statistics to the dark days where daily production was hovering around one million and one point two million and host communities neglected in the scheme of things. Such situation is an invitation youth creativeness, community agitations, the group warns.

HOSTCOM therefore urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stand firm and sustain the gains already recorded by Heineken Lokpobiri within one year and Godswill Akpabio as the President of the Senate as the cordial relationship between the Legislature and the executive has recorded an irreversible progress just within fifteen months.

“The allegation of incompetence against Senator Lokpobiri is the figment of imagination of the sponsored individuals considering the fact that the appointment of Lokpobiri has helped to douse tension and even the issue of insecurity and community agitations.

HOSTCOM also condemn in very strong term rumour about ongoing plan to impeach the Senate President Chief (Barr) Godswill Obot Akpabio.

HOSTCOM advises those behind such divisive, deceptive and distractive moves to jettison it because it is not in the interest of the country.

We vehemently oppose the idea of always sacrificing Southern leaders who are often used as sacrificial lambs in national politics.

Presently, Akpabio who left indelible record as the BEST GOVERNOR during his two terms as Governor of Akwa Ibom state is the highest political office holder in the Niger Delta region that has been carrying the Economic Burden of the country since 1956 when crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity.

Chief Akpabio like every other human being has a fair share of human flaws and weaknesses, but the above cannot be compared to the positive values that he has continued to add to the governance system since the commencement of his political ascendancy.

The South shall rally maximum support for Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio at this most crucial and critical moment, same to other South South and southern leaders in public offices.

HOSTCOM therefore uses this opportunity to pass VOTES OF CONFIDENCE on His Excellency Chief (Barr) Godswill Obot Akpabio and the leadership of the National Assembly for their immeasurable and invaluable sacrifices in the midst of the prevalent economic situation in the country. We extend same Token to Very Distinguished Senator Heineken Lokpobiri the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil).

We appreciate the present synergy between the Legislature and the Executive Arm which is the cooperation that is needed to move the country forward.

As the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), we shall remain firm and resolute in fighting to protect the interest of oil and gas bearing communities. We urge all men and women of goodwill to continue to give unprecedented support to HOSTCOM whose daily efforts is to ensure that oil and gas bearing communities are not cheated or treated badly by the IOCs or agents of government”

On Petroleum Industry act, the group notes that

“While we commend the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 that has kick started in some areas, there are many things that have to be taken care of. The above applies to the 3% accruing to Host Communities. There is need for the immediate Upward Review of the 3% which is now very insignificant due to the prevalent economic realities.

We give kudos to NUPRC for priotizing first the HOSTCOM Regulations and today we are seeing the improvement in our production and we appeal to those operators that have not complied, to do so immediately to incorporate the HCDT for maximal use.

Moving forward, we shall engage the leaderships of both chambers of the National Assembly and their noble members to push for amendments of the Petroleum Industry Act to address contentious areas and clauses eg section 257 sub section 2 that says, if there is vandalization or sabotage, the community will forfeit the actual cost of repair.

While section 52 says there should a Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. In section 52
sub section 7 (d) and section 104 sub section 4 says, money received from Gas Flares Penalties by the Commission shall be for the purpose of environmental remediation and relief of the host communities of the Settlors on which the penalty are levied. Gas Flare funds shall be channeled to the Trust Fund Account set up by settlors to avoid crises, and other notable sections of the PIA 2021 Act”.