Civil society organisations in Rivers State have urged the Federal Government and oil companies to fully implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, saying these laws hold the key to creating jobs and curbing youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for 2023 places the unemployment rate in the Niger Delta at 6.56 per cent, higher than the national average of 5.4 per cent.
During a training session for journalists on ‘Environmental Justice Reporting’ in Port Harcourt on Friday, June 13, 2025, civil society leaders linked these high unemployment levels to economic sabotage, pipeline vandalism, and longstanding environmental degradation caused by oil exploration.
Constance Meju, Executive Director of the Centre for Gender Equity and Sustainable Development, said during a media engagement organised by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre that the region’s pervasive youth restiveness is driven by the lack of employment and the destruction of traditional livelihoods.
“The environment is the people’s means of survival. Fishing and farming have always been our ancestral occupations, but these have been ruined by pollution. This has left many young people jobless and vulnerable to crime and violence,” Meju said.
Henry Eferegbo, Executive Director of the OLEGH Centre for Community Development, underscored the potential of the PIA and the Nigerian Content Act to generate employment if implemented rigorously.
Eferegbo pointed out that under the PIA, oil companies are mandated to contribute 3 per cent of their previous year’s operating expenses to the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF), which is intended to support grassroots development in oil-producing communities.
He also explained that the Nigerian Content Act of 2010 stipulates that all unskilled jobs, 50 per cent of semi-skilled roles, 10 per cent of skilled positions, and 20 per cent of total operational staff should be sourced from the host community.
“Some Host Community Development Trusts are already receiving funds running into billions of naira. Proper enforcement of these laws will open up the system, helping youths to gain skills, access funding for indigenous enterprises, and ultimately boost development,” Eferegbo said.
Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, urged journalists to incorporate gender perspectives when reporting on pollution, oil extraction, and environmental degradation. She said this was especially important when discussing the PIA, the Nigerian Content Act, and the structure of HCDTFs.
“When we talk about the Host Community Development Trusts, we must ask: how many women are on the board or in management? What level of influence do women hold? Were community women meaningfully involved in the needs assessments that shape community development plans?
“It’s not just about women in general, but young women in particular. And what about people living with disabilities? Were they consulted? Were their needs documented and included in the plans?
“If this is done correctly, it not only builds awareness but also serves as an indirect training for trust leadership on inclusive and responsible governance,” she added.