Communities press for oil industry reform in Delta State

Community leaders in Delta State have called for greater accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, warning that mistrust between oil companies and host communities continues to fuel unrest.

The call came at a dialogue in Udu, organised by civil society group Search for Common Ground with support from the EU and PIND. Participants said the Petroleum Industry Act had failed to address long-standing grievances.

Former Oil and Gas Commissioner Vincent Oyibode urged peaceful engagement between oil firms and communities, while traditional leaders and experts highlighted lack of transparency in financial allocations as a major source of tension.

Stakeholders agreed to push the National Assembly for a review of the law and pressed oil companies to invest more in education, youth empowerment and community development