NUPRC, stakeholders push for inclusive development for persons with disabilities in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has renewed its commitment to promoting inclusive development in the Niger Delta, with a particular focus on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The announcement came during a one-day workshop organized by the Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, conveyed the commission’s stance through Dr. Ogechi Opete, Deputy Director at NUPRC’s Port Harcourt Regional Office.
The workshop, themed “Ending Barriers Against Niger-Detans with Disabilities (EBANA),” was described as a timely initiative addressing gaps in social inclusion within host communities.
Komolafe emphasized that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 provides a legal framework mandating equity, social inclusion, and participatory development in communities affected by oil and gas operations.
He highlighted that the Host Community Development Regulations of 2022 require transparent governance, stakeholder engagement, and needs assessments that account for all segments of society, including PWDs.
“Planning for the inclusion of PWDs is not optional; it is essential for ensuring that development projects address the unique needs of all community members,” Komolafe stated.
He pledged that NUPRC would enforce compliance with the PIA and Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) regulations, strengthen accountability, and support initiatives that foster social harmony.
Mr. Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of the CCD, explained that the workshop aimed to finalize a regional demand charter highlighting the needs of PWDs across the nine Niger Delta states.
The charter includes priorities such as accessible infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities.
“The stakeholders gathered to ensure that the PWDs’ charter will be integrated into the PIA’s host community development trust frameworks, including needs assessments, budgets, and development plans,” Unumeri said.
He called on NUPRC to establish a supplementary act that formally embeds disability inclusion into all community development initiatives.
Also contributing to the discussion, Mr. Amadi Onyekwere, Director at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abia, described the initiative as a necessary step toward recognising the rights of PWDs within the oil and gas sector.
While the PIA serves as a landmark legislation for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, Onyekwere noted that it has historically underrepresented PWDs.
He urged host community trusts to incorporate disability-related considerations in their planning and called for qualified PWDs to be included in governance and oversight structures.
Onyekwere also highlighted the support of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, in advocating for inclusivity in the membership of development trusts.
The workshop attracted a diverse group of stakeholders from the nine Niger Delta states, including policymakers, PWD advocates, and industry representatives.
Participants engaged in discussions to ensure that the PWDs’ regional charter becomes a practical instrument guiding inclusive development across the region’s oil and gas-hosting communities.
