Nigeria Senate President Akpabio demands PIA accountability

Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s petroleum industry to deliver measurable economic results following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) five years ago.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement programme in Abuja, Akpabio emphasized that the success of the landmark legislation should be judged by tangible evidence of improved governance, increased investment, and efficient regulation rather than promises. He noted that while the law and its institutions have been established, the focus must now shift to the actual impact on the economy and the development of oil-producing communities.

Akpabio identified several key metrics for assessing the Act’s effectiveness, including investor confidence, petroleum production levels, energy infrastructure, and the commercial performance of the national oil company. He urged stakeholders to address implementation challenges through evidence-based assessments and cautioned that cooperation should not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.