The Host Communities of Nigeria, Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCON) has charged northern states on greater inclusiveness and participation of the region in the oil and gas sector to tackle unemployment.
Chairman, HOSTCON, Kogi and North Central, Bishop Gabriel Ojoka, advised accreditation and planning of the programme for the inauguration of oil-producing states in the north in Abuja.
Ojoka said the call became imperative following the recent signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He noted that the provisions of the PIA allowed states take responsibility for oil and gas facilities, particularly pipeline surveillance.
Ojoka said Niger Delta had already done that, saying it would give room for more job creation if northern states did the same.
“We have to educate and enlighten people to know that they have windows of opportunities for job creation in that particularly PIA.
“We have been on courtesy call to several of the chairmen to the states and traditional councils in northern states, and we have written to several northern states governors,” Ojoka added.
He stated that it was only Kogi that was on board as far back as 2015/2016, but as of today, other northern states had started indicating interest and this showed progress in the advocacy.
“So with pipelines in the North, the fact remains that they can participate in the dividend of the oil and gas.
“For instance, Kaduna State has a refinery but they have not been declared and they need to participate and we have other places we have found out as well,” he said.
Also speaking, the Odomata Igala, Kogi, Dr Ocheni Jacob, tasked northern states to put hands together for the unity of the country following the recognition of Kogi as an oil region.
Jacob noted that youths across the region would not be left behind in terms of employment provided a united front was created to achieve the great development.
“Since one of the states has been recognised as one of the oil producing state, which is Kogi and our natural resources is enormous, we will laugh last,” he said.
“The welfare of our teeming youths will be enhanced and with this pipeline security arrangement on board, I am sure some of them will have security duties to perform and they will earn a living from there,” he said.
Oil and gas is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, contributing about 10 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product. (NAN)