Research Scholars and Administrators under the umbrella of International Conference of International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators (IARSA) have advocated 50 per cent revenue derivation for the Niger Delta. “The two Constitutions that applied when agriculture was the main revenue earner for Nigeria – the 1960 and the 1963 Constitutions which applied the principle of 50% derivation in the allocation of revenue to the federating regions should be used as the model for the Niger Delta,” the association said in a communiqué issued at the end of its recent meeting hosted by the Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Nigeria.

Below are other recommendations from the conference which had as theme, “Promoting Sustainability in Petroleum Development and Economic Growth in the Niger Delta Region”:

Reduce rural-urban drift by investing in rural areas, where the bulk of oil and gas exploration and development takes place

Niger Delta states should key in to the Host Communities Framework for rural development.

For Host Communities:

Accept the PIA 2021 as the current legislation on petroleum upstream, midstream and downstream.

Take full advantage of its host community provisions to advance host community issues and challenges

Avoid communal crisis, bickering, sabotage and all such actions that are inimical to host communities under the PIA

Organize themselves both within and inter-communities into community interest groups with the input and approval of their community representatives, including traditional rulers and local councilors.

Improve capacity of youths to take full advantage of the various nascent provisions concerning Nigerian content development.

Let the Niger Delta derivation allowance be well utilized for the economic well-being of the people of the region.

To curb oil theft, Community Participation in Resource Exploitation is the key: Locals should be granted license to operate shallow marginal fields as it is done in the case of Myanmar (Burma).

Still on oil theft, Strengthening of Strategic Social Investment where emphasis should be on reforming and strengthening existing initiatives and institutions for the socio-economic development of the oil-producing region in order to create opportunities and wean the youth from illegal oil activities.

A mind change to the capitalize knowledge in new knowledge economy

New Paradigms:

(a) From publish or perish to Patent-Publish-Produce for the academics.

(b) Entrepreneurial Universities rooted in Creativity & Innovation,

Commercialization & Entrepreneurship should be the way forward.

Universities should adopt New Pedagogical Model of Triple Helix Plus+ and Education 4.0.

Renewable Energy should be embraced by FG as it will resolve the Niger Delta youth restiveness, oil theft, environmental degradation, etc, and promote sustainable environmental and economic development of Niger-Delta region, and Nigeria.

Urgent attention by the federal and state governments to look into alternative means of generating power for industrial and domestic uses across the nation, most importantly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Government should invest largely into renewable energy technologies which has less impact on the environment as alternatives to the fossil fuel technology. This sector will also provide job opportunities thereby reducing the poverty level as well.

With the renewable energy policies in place already, Governments should double their efforts in this regard if Nigeria would make any appreciable achievement towards reaching her target of the Millennium Development Goals by 2030.

A wind energy systems for electric power generation and supply should be put in place in the country, particularly at the core Northern States, the mountainous parts of the Central and Eastern States, and also the offshore areas, where wind is abundantly available throughout the year.

The illegal refining can be legalized, regulated and taxed to generate revenue for the government.

Government should fund research into domestication of gas utilization technologies.

Government must put measures in place not only to monitor or capture oil theft situations, but to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of the illegal act.

Held on November 10 and 11, 2021, the 6th Annual International Conference of International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators brought together notable international researchers in petroleum and gas industry, renowned professors, erudite solicitors in the legal professions, entrepreneurs, professionals and policy makers to share their experiences, perspectives, insights, and the latest innovative research in petroleum development, economic growth, security, social and welfare development and environmental sustainability to improve decision making in Nigeria.

The well attended event had the guest speakers’ session and scintillating social events where participants had the opportunity to network with their colleagues and other participants during the conference.

More so, pertinent issues bothering on the future of the petroleum and gas industry, energy transitions, workability of renewable energy in Nigeria and possible ways to resolve the environmental degradation in Niger Delta were also discussed extensively.

ATTENDANCE

The conference which was a world-class event had in attendance the Chief Host, the 9^th Vice Chancellor of the UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Prof. I. M. Siminialaiye; HRH (Dr.) Appolus Chu, Oneh-eh Nchia & Egere Emere Okori Eleme Kingdom, who was the Royal Father of the day; and the 7^th Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. J.A. Ajienka, who also made a presentation.

Others included former President of Nigerian Bar Association, Chief O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), who was the keynote speaker; and erudite speakers: Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, Dean, Faculty of Law, UNIPORT; Prof. Ben Naanen of UNIPORT; Prof. Yusuf Dankofa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Dr. Joseph Ellah, former Group General Manager of NNPC; Chief Nabil A. Saleh, Managing Director of M. Saleh Group of Companies; Dr. (Mrs) Oke Olubukola Abidemi of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta; and Mr. Ofili I. Methadius of the Oil & Gas Business School, Port Harcourt.

Other notable dignitaries in attendance included: Hon. Engr. Samuel Osorochi Nwanosike, Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council; Prof. S.S. Ikiensikimama, Chair Occupant of SPDC JV Aret Adams Professorial Chair in Petroleum Engineering, UNIPORT; Director of Emerald Energy Institute, Prof. Chijioke Nwaozuzu, who was the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC); IARSA President, Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa; IARSA Vice-President, Prof. (Mrs) Omosewo Esther Ore; IARSA Executive Director, Prof. Ogunsakin B. Akin; IARSA members and LOC Committee members as well as numerous participants.

TECHNICAL SECTION

The technical section was grouped into:

Day One:

The Day 1 commenced with the welcome address by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Welcome address by the President of IARSA, Brief message of IARSA activities by the Executive Director and presentations by the keynote speaker, Chief O.C.J. Okocha.

Thereafter, the technical session commenced with: Impact of Petroleum Development on the Economy of Niger Delta Region, Host Community Provision in the recent Passed Nigeria Petroleum Industry Act, and Academic Entrepreneurship: Developing Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.

Day Two:

On the second day (Day 2), the following presentations were made: Oil Theft Issues in the Niger Delta, Global Energy Transitions and the Potential Impact on Economic Growth in the Niger Delta Region, and Benefits, Potentials and Challenges of Renewable Energy Sources in Promoting Sustainable Environmental and Economic Development through Science and Technology in the Niger Delta Region.

OBSERVATIONS

The following observations were deduced from the technical presentations, speeches, discussions, questions and contributions from the participants during the conference:

That there is long over-stretched injustice to the region over oil and gas exploration, exploitation or expropriation of petroleum resources.

The perception in the Niger Delta is that, the constitutional stipulation of 13 percent is an act of gross injustice to the region.

The failure of Government development initiatives in the Niger Delta region since NDDB (1961), NDDBA (1976), OMPADEC (1992) and NDDC (2000) could be attributed to: organizational structure, political gratification, inadequate planning, excessive demands on the Commission and inadequate funding.

Only few positive impacts of petroleum exploration and exploitations in Niger Delta have been felt since inception e.g. host community development, little boost on economic development of the region, employment and capacity development and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

While the negative impacts of petroleum exploration and exploitations in Niger Delta are enormous, e.g. Environmental degradation, despoliation and destitution, Economic dislocation/impoverishment, Inter and intra communal conflicts, marginalization and youth restiveness.

Lack of infrastructures and other physical evidences of Economic Development in the Niger Delta Region have been as a result of mismanagement of funds and embezzlement.

Industrial scale oil theft represent doom to the Nigerian economy as the losses are between 6% and 10% of its annual oil production to theft.

On oil theft, factors militating against combating it were list as: Perception and Resource Control Issues, Profitability, Proliferation of Arms, Legal Hindrance, Military Inadequacies, Geographical Factor, Poverty, Limited Development Impact.

On the PIA, the 3% community fund in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is seen as inadequate for the host communities.

For the universities/academics, the old paradigm which was anchored on Publish or Perish has led to intellectual slavery.

On renewable energy, the IOC’s are massively investing in: Offshore Wind

Biofuels, Solar Farms [especially TotalEnergies], Carbon Capture & Storage, Energy Efficiency hydrogen and Electric Vehicles.

On Nigeria Projects, Empower New Energy and Resource have teamed up to create the largest power purchase agreement for solar energy in the Commercial and Industrial sector in Nigeria.

FGN is set to commence construction of solar power plant at Kumbotso, Kano State, to bridge shortage of energy supply from the national grid.

The 10MW Katsina wind farm project completed and commissioned as confirmed by the Federal Government, may indeed usher in era of wind farm in Nigeria.

Niger Delta with the coastal line of about 853 km has the potential for the generation of electricity via the use of offshore wind turbines.

AWARDS/ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS

The Association also used the occasion to honour some of the dignitaries who have excelled in their different endeavors and contributed to the growth and development of the nation. The following persons were Awarded:

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill – Honorary Senior Research Fellow

HRH (Dr.) Appolus Chu – Senior Research Fellow

Prof. (Mrs) Ifeoma Mabel Onyemelukwe – Senior Research Fellow

Prof. Yusuf Dankofa – Senior Research Fellow

Dr. Heoma Gladys Nsirim-Worlu – Senior Research Fellow

Dr. Senukon Olufunmi Ajose-Harrison – Research Fellow

Rev. Fr. Vincent Olofinkua – Research Fellow

Dr. Ayodele Mandela Asebiomo – Research Fellow

Dr. (Mrs) Oke Olubukola Abidemi – Research Fellow

Dr. Badmus Olalekan Taofeek – Research Fellow

Gp. Capt. B.A. Apoola – Research Fellow

Other categories are:

Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji – Lifetime Distinguished Researcher & Administrative Creativity.

Prof. Zakari Mohammed – Distinguished Research & Creative Achievement Award.

Prof. Adisa Ademola Bello – Distinguished Research & Creative Achievement Award.

Prof. Obini E. Ekpe – Distinguished Research & Creative Achievement Award.

Chief Nabil A. Saleh – Exemplary CEO/Board Award 2021.

Mr. Adoage Norteh – Exemplary CEO/Board Award 2021.

Dr. Chinyere Nwoga – Exemplary CEO/Board Award 2021.

Mr. Derrick Chike Memeh – Exemplary CEO/Board Award 2021.

Mr. Godwin Ime Etim – Exemplary CEO/Board Award 2021.

Hon. Engr. Samuel Osorochi Nwanosike – Exemplary Contribution to Education & Research.

After the awards were the investitures of the following persons as council members of IARSA.

Prof. Chijioke Nwaozuzu – Council Member.

Prof. Celina Adanna Uloaka Madeemezia – Council Member.

And several others who were admitted as new members of IARSA.

APPRECIATION

The Director of Emerald Energy Institute on behalf of the LOC Committee and IARSA, thanked and appreciated the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT for honouring the invitation, the Royal Father of the day, keynote speaker, the speakers and participants.

He also thanked as many who travelled from the different parts of the country and outside the country to attend this special 6th Annual International Conference in Port Harcourt. He wished all safe journey back home.

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