Diri Seeks Review of Oil-Producing Communities’ Allocations

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the Federal Government to urgently amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to resolve disputes in Niger Delta oil-producing communities.

Speaking in Yenagoa during the 60th birthday, 25th marriage anniversary, and book launch of the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Diri said the current provisions of the PIA were unfair and could trigger unrest.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, argued that excluding states and local governments from managing host community benefits was a “recipe for crisis.” He also faulted the reduction of communities’ share from 10 per cent to three per cent.

“The PIA, as designed, is a time bomb,” Diri said. “The Federal Government cut off states and councils to deal directly with communities. I urge President Bola Tinubu to review this and restore fairness.”

Diri congratulated King Dakolo, whom he praised as a “rare king” and literary giant, on the release of his books The Pirates of the Gulf and The Kingfisher.