Oil-producing communities in Delta State have said that the setting up of Iwere Host Community Trust by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, contravened the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Forum of Concerned Indigenes of Oil-producing Communities said it is also illegal for the eminent monarch to propose the Iwere Trust to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for recognition.

In its view, the status of host communities is not synonymous with Itsekiri ethnic nation.

According to the group, PIA only made provisions for the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) for oil-producing communities.

In a statement by its Chairman, Oritsejolomi Edema and Secretary, Amorigoye Ezekiel, the Forum said the monarch’s decision was being resisted by the host communities to the Otumara Oil Fields and Flow Station.

The group urged NUPRC not to give recognition to the Iwere Trust, insisting that it is against the PIA provisions.

The statement reads: “Instead, the host communities, namely Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun, legitimately demand for the establishment of Otumara Host Community Development Trust and Ikpere Host Community Development Trust, respectively, for a joint implementation of the PIA, with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and NUPRC as incorporated in the PIA.

“The NUPRC to strictly adhere to the provisions of the law. The NUPRC should act only based on extant laws, which is the PIA and its accompanying regulations. Anything outside the PIA breaches the ACT.”

The Forum pointed out that the two groups recognised and referred to as settlors in the Act are the IOC and the host communities, which are expected to meet and bring people together to constitute the Trust.

It said the Olu and his Palace only established a Trust that agglomerates the entire Itsekiri nation as one host community, thereby usurping the rights of oil-bearing communities.

The group said the impression was being created that any Itsekiri Community, that is not a host to oil facilities, can lay claim and be illegally recognised by NUPRC.

It added: “The PIA only recognises host communities and not ethnic group, as done in the case of the general board of trustees constituted by the Olu of Warri, code-named Iwere Host Community Development Trust.

“This action is absolutely wrong and represents reckless digression from the law. As an imposition, it denies host communities of their legitimate rights.

“The issue in contention is the demand that only host communities should determine their trustees and not the Palace of Olu. The PIA law has nothing to do with any kingdom. The word Iwere in fact encompasses every Itsekiri Community of Warri. The PIA does not authorize an ominibus inclusion of communities that are not host to oil facilities of the Federal Government.

“The Palace should not interfere in the arrangement between Abigborodo and NPDC. That arrangement was allowed to fly in accordance with the PIA, apparently because some prominent supporters and backers of the Palace are from that area.

“In the case of Abigborodo, NPDC did not go to the Palace. Both parties had their agreement signed and sealed independently. Is Abigborodo not part of the Itsekiri kingdom? Why was the proper procedure adopted in the case of that community?

“With the preferential treatment given to Abigborodo, it has become very clear that the action of the Palace is purely targeted at some individuals in other host communities, especially in the case of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun.

“This has to stop. The Olu and his Chiefs should be desirous of peace in the kingdom.” (Daily Sun)

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