Niger Delta Humanitarian Group Calls on Federal Government to Allocate 30% of PIA Revenue to Christian Oil-Producing Communities
By Wilson Macaulay
WARRI
The President of Peace Development, Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltans, Comrade Mike J.K. Tiemo, has issued a strong and passionate appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria, urging a comprehensive review of the current revenue-sharing formula under the controversial Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2022.
In a bold statement released to journalists in Warri Delta state, Comrade Tiemo described the existing 3% allocation to the Christian host communities being the only crude oil Producing communities in Nigeria as grossly inadequate, unjust, and a persistent denial of the heir aparants of Nigeria’s crude oil wealth.
He insisted that the PIA in its current status does not reflect equity, justice ,fairness, or historical realities of the Nigerian Christian oil-producing communities as aforementioned.
“30% Allocation is the Minimum for Justice or the application and implementation of resource control — Comrade Mike Tiemo
According to him, all Christian communities in the Niger Delta, South East, South West, being the Southern Part of Nigeria —which he asserted are the major and original crude oil-producing communities in Nigeria have for decades borne the brunt of environmental degradation, economic marginalization , and severe underdevelopment stemming from oil exploration activities.
He argued that the host communities have been reduced to “spectators” in a wealth derived from their ancestral lands, rivers, and ecosystems.
“The 3% currently allocated to the Christian host communities being the only oil Producing Communities under the PIA is not only controversial but stands as a perpetual symbol of injustice and absolute deprivation. We are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately amend , rectify and ratify the Petroleum Industry Act and apportion at least 30% of petroleum profits to all Christian oil-producing communities which have sustained the economic backbone of this nation for over six decades,”
— Comrade Mike J.K. Tiemo stated.
Environmental Devastation, Economic Hardship, and Broken Promises
The Peace Development, Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltans highlighted the alarming environmental challenges affecting oil-bearing communities—ranging from massive oil spills, gas flaring, loss of aquatic life, soil infertility, pollution of drinkable water, and rising health epidemics.
Comrade Tiemo lamented that, despite these devastating conditions, successive governments and multinational oil corporations have continued to explore the region with little or no meaningful impact on the livelihood of the Christian Communities.
He noted that the PIA was expected to bring lasting solutions, transparency, and inclusion. However, according to him, the Act has instead deepened frustration because it failed to allocate a fair and equitable share to the actual producers of the nation’s petroleum wealth.
A Call for Equity, Justice, and Constitutional Review
The Niger Delta Humanitarian Group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the National Assembly, and relevant policymakers in Nigeria to commence a comprehensive review of the PIA to correct what the group termed “historical and structural injustice or imbalance.
Comrade Tiemo emphasized that oil-producing Christian communities in states such as Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Anambra deserve a substantial percentage that reflects their direct sacrifices and contributions to national survival and development.
He maintained that the proposed 30% allocation would empower local communities, fund development projects, strengthen environmental remediation, and promote peace and stability in the southern part of Nigeria.
In the light of the above, we call on the Federal Government to release the long overdue gas flare fund that has not been paid for years to the Christian communities without further delay.
We therefore once again call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use the instruments of his good office to expedite action on the payment of the gas flaring funds .
Warning Against Continued Marginalization
The association cautioned that ignoring the concerns of oil-producing communities risks increasing tensions in the southern region.
“We are advocating peacefully, but justice delayed is justice denied. The Christian Oil Producing Communities in the southern part of Nigeria cannot continue to be treated as a colony of exploitation. True peace can only emerge when the rightful stakeholders are given what is due to them through the Providence of God Almighty.
— Tiemo stressed.
Appeal to Religious, Traditional, and International Bodies
Comrade Tiemo also appealed to Christian religious leaders, traditional rulers, international human rights organisations, and global environmental agencies to support the demand for a fair and humane revenue-sharing system.
He insisted that the destiny and dignity of the Christian communities in the southern part of Nigeria Nigeria must not be subjected to political bargaining, but protected through just policies that reflect the realities on ground.
