International oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region have been urged to fully implement the Petroleum Industry Act across their various host communities in order to promote inclusiveness, transparency and sustainable development.

The call was made by the Technical Assistant to Senator Sunday Benson Agadaga, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Oil, Mineral and Gas Host Communities, Mr Ikiba-ye-Emine Tiyeinabeso, who stated that the Petroleum Industry Act marked a clear departure from past practices in which oil-producing communities were marginalised and neglected by oil companies operating in their areas.

According to him, “The Petroleum Industry Act stands as a watershed reform designed to correct decades of systemic exclusion, weak community agreements, and poor transparency that historically fueled agitation and instability in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.”

He further stressed the need for oil companies to go beyond symbolic adherence to the law, adding, “I therefore urge other IOCs to move beyond token compliance and fully integrate Field Development Plans across their Greenfield and Brownfield operations, including within their EPCIC and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracting structures”, he said.

Tiyeinabeso also commended Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited for what he described as its commendable approach to community relations in the Niger Delta.

Calling for broad compliance with the law, he said, “I call on all International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to faithfully, practically, and deliberately implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in their engagement with Host Communities, in line with both the letter and spirit of the law.”

He explained that his commendation was based on close observation, stating, “I have observed with keen interest the approach adopted by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAEC), formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), and I commend this structured, forward-looking, and inclusive model of Host Community engagement.”

Tiyeinabeso noted that the company’s model signalled a positive shift from previous practices, adding, “This approach represents a clear and commendable departure from the limitations associated with the former Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) framework.”

He concluded by emphasising the central role of host communities under the law, saying, “The Act clearly establishes Host Communities as critical stakeholders in the oil and gas value chain. When implemented in both letter and spirit, it becomes a powerful instrument for peace-building, trust-building, and sustainable development “, he said.