Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has renewed his call on the Federal Government to revisit the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), stressing that its current implementation fuels conflict in Niger Delta oil-producing communities.
Speaking in Yenagoa during the 60th birthday, book launch and silver jubilee of King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Diri faulted provisions that excluded states and local councils from administering host community funds.
He argued that the Federal Government’s decision to relate directly with oil communities, coupled with the reduction of oil companies’ contribution from 10 per cent to 3 per cent, was a “time bomb” for unrest.
“The states and local councils are closer to the people. Excluding them is a recipe for crisis,” Diri said, urging President Bola Tinubu to urgently initiate a review of the Act.
The governor also praised King Dakolo, author of The Pirates of the Gulf and The Kingfisher, describing him as a literary giant and role model.
He announced a state government donation of ₦100 million to support the books and directed the Ministry of Education to integrate The Kingfisher into the state’s secondary school curriculum.