Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta and vice presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to be properly enforced in order to successfully stop oil theft in the nation.
This was said by Okowa on Sunday as he was a guest on Channels Television’s “People’s Townhall,” a special show for 2023 presidential hopefuls.
He claimed that high-profile oil theft, particularly illegal oil bunkering, had hindered Nigeria’s ability to maximize the benefits of its oil production and had negatively impacted the nation’s oil production quota.
He claimed that because Nigeria couldn’t exploit its natural gas resources like other countries, it was losing out on its supply, but he promised that Atiku Abubakar’s administration would keep the country’s gas development plan going as a backup source of income.
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“We don’t seem to gain from that since we are generating less than we should be because other nations are obtaining a lot more resources from oil to build other parts of their economies.
The Petroleum Industry Act must be implemented, and there is a need to increase production by addressing illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta through robust community participation (PIA).
He claimed that because Nigeria couldn’t exploit its natural gas resources like other countries, it was losing out on its supply, but he promised that Atiku Abubakar’s administration would keep the country’s gas development plan going as a backup source of income.
“We don’t seem to gain from that since we are generating less than we should be because other nations are obtaining a lot more resources from oil to build other parts of their economies.
The Petroleum Industry Act must be implemented, and there is a need to increase production by addressing illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta through robust community participation (PIA).
“We can accomplish that by securing community support and cooperating with security services to combat oil theft.
“The gas industry is one that we frequently overlook. When we take office the next year, we’ll make sure that the gas development plan is carried out as planned and that crucial changes are implemented to bring in more revenue for the nation, according to Okowa.
The vice presidential candidate stated that the PDP administration, which would be led by Atiku Abubakar, would be committed to eliminating fuel subsidies because they were a drain on the nation’s resources.
He contends that Nigeria cannot keep borrowing money to pay for fuel subsidies while other vital industries lack proper support.
“Removing subsidies will free up more cash for the growth of those sectors which provide key services to individuals at the lower rung of the society, which is important because other critical sectors like Education and Health are suffering.”
He asserted that Abubakar will offer the crucial leadership required to save the country from its current woes.
“Our country is in a crucial condition, and in order to move forward, we need a team with the right expertise. I am honored to serve as Atiku Abubakar’s running partner.
According to Okowa, “He is a man with enormous experience and a very humble leader, and he will provide that vital leadership the country needs to tackle its insecurity concerns.”
The Delta Governor explained that those involved in militancy believed they were not included in the country’s leadership.
He added that bringing development to their doorsteps would address the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta and that the Atiku-Okowa administration would start a big employment drive to convince non-state actors to lay down their arms.
Militancy will vanish as soon as the appropriate leadership is given, according to Okowa. People experience adversity and exclusion. People would experience a sense of belonging when Atiku is elected president. The Petroleum Industry Act will also be fully implemented, and the NDDC will operate effectively.
“Under my leadership, we accomplished in Delta. People realized they needed to let the government work so they could receive the benefits that were owed to them after our intervention in the waterways.
He further guaranteed that the Atiku Abubakar administration will see to it that the NDDC was properly operated, saying that residents of the communities that host oil and gas would benefit from an effective NDDC.
Militancy will vanish as soon as the appropriate leadership is given, according to Okowa. People experience adversity and exclusion. People would experience a sense of belonging when Atiku is elected president. The Petroleum Industry Act will also be fully implemented, and the NDDC will operate effectively.
“Under my leadership, we accomplished in Delta. People realized they needed to let the government work so they could receive the benefits that were owed to them after our intervention in the waterways.
He further guaranteed that the Atiku Abubakar administration will see to it that the NDDC was properly operated, saying that residents of the communities that host oil and gas would benefit from an effective NDDC.
