In a bid to enhance development in the oil and gas industry and promote justice in the Nigerian state, a renowned environmentalist and public affairs analyst, Engr Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, has called for the liberalization of the oil and gas sector to accommodate the interest of key stakeholders and promote maximal development in the economy.
Wai-Ogosu who spoke with The Tide in an interview in his office in Port Harcourt at the weekend, faulted the monopolization of activities in the oil and gas industry by the Federal Government, stating that such approach has stunted the development of the sector.
According to the environmentalist, “placing oil and gas in the exclusive operation of the  Federal Government was a means of deliberately sidelining the people of the Niger Delta that produces the oil deposits. Such policies are premised on the foundation of injustice, and must be reviewed to respond to the imperatives of justice. The oil bearing communities that mostly  suffer the hazards of oil and gas pollution are  perhaps the least beneficiaries of the oil and gas economy.”
He expressed dissatisfaction over the delay  in the implementation of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), particularly the aspect that had to do with the host communities involvement, and noted that the delay was a direct affront to the Niger Delta communities that were supposed to benefit from the policies.
The expert who advocated for a total overhaul of the oil and gas industry said the prospect of development of the oil and gas industry, and other sectors of the economy depended on proper implementation of, “community driven policies in which the local communities are properly mobilised to play active roles in pipelines surveillance, application of bye products in the oil and gas industry and direct participation in other related activities.”

Taneh Beemene