By Sylvia Akpan
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, has called for the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to attract investment, increase oil and gas production and ensure that host communities benefit from Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
Williams made the call on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while delivering his opening remarks at a stakeholders’ engagement program themed “The Petroleum Industry Act Implementation Journey: Industry Impact and the Path Forward,” held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The engagement, organized by NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Neo Mundo Limited and other participating institutions, sought to assess the impact of the Act and identify strategies for advancing Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Describing the PIA as a landmark reform, the senator noted that the legislation had strengthened the regulatory framework of the petroleum sector, improved institutional clarity and created opportunities for increased private-sector investment.
He, however, stressed that the success of the Act should be measured by its tangible outcomes, including increased investment, higher production, improved local content participation and better living conditions for oil-producing communities.
Williams particularly emphasized the need for transparent and accountable management of Host Communities Development Trusts, noting that the statutory provisions must translate into visible improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, effective implementation requires coordinated efforts among government institutions, regulatory agencies, industry operators and host communities.
The senator outlined five key priorities for stakeholders: regulatory efficiency, investment and production growth, institutional coordination, host community development and measurable implementation outcomes.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), to strengthening legislative oversight and maintaining constructive engagement with stakeholders to address challenges affecting the implementation of the Act.
Williams urged all relevant institutions and industry players to work collaboratively towards ensuring that the country’s petroleum resources contribute meaningfully to sustainable economic growth and national development.
He subsequently invited the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, to officially declare the engagement open.
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