The Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline-Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON Youth Council) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The council’s President, Emmanuel Pathfinder, announced the endorsement at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Pathfinder said the endorsement followed what he described as Mr Tinubu’s excellent performance in the Niger Delta and the oil and gas sector.

He said the administration had supported greater involvement of indigenous people in pipeline protection and oil and gas infrastructure security.

According to him, local participation is essential to promoting peace, stability and development in the oil-producing region.

Mr Pathfinder said, “We express our sincere appreciation to President Tinubu and the 10th National Assembly for supporting efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.”

He also expressed confidence in Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd. (PINL), citing its contributions to pipeline security, employment and community engagement across parts of the Niger Delta.

Mr Pathfinder criticised moves to revoke PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract, arguing that its continued operations would benefit host communities and strengthen security.

He said the company’s management and personnel included Niger Delta indigenes who understood the region’s challenges and had a stake in its stability.

According to him, PINL has engaged host communities through stakeholder meetings and social intervention programmes, including scholarships and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Mr Pathfinder defended the company against what he described as attempts to undermine its operations, pledging the council’s continued support.

He maintained that indigenous participation in pipeline surveillance created employment opportunities for young people and strengthened relationships between security operators and host communities.

The youth council president called for a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly its provisions allocating three per cent of operating expenditure to Host Community Development Trusts.

He questioned the adequacy of the allocation and expressed concern over disbursement delays, saying communities needed timely access to funds.

Mr Pathfinder also called for greater transparency in oil revenue administration and improved employment opportunities for host communities across the petroleum industry.

He said oil-producing communities continued to face pollution, livelihood losses and inadequate development despite bearing the environmental and social consequences of oil exploration.

The youth leader also criticised what he described as insufficient attention to women, young people and other vulnerable groups in affected communities.

He said the council’s support for PINL reflected its assessment of the company’s performance and commitment to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure.

Mr Pathfinder urged the Federal Government to sustain effective pipeline surveillance, describing petroleum asset protection as essential to national revenue and energy security.

He added that PINL’s reported contributions to education, economic empowerment and youth participation in community development deserved recognition and sustained support.

Earlier, HOSTCOM National Chairman, Dr Mike Emuh, said host communities had long demanded greater resource control, improved derivation revenue and increased benefits from oil and gas production.

Mr Emuh raised concerns about the implementation of the PIA, alleging that substantial funds due to host communities had not been remitted.

He urged the Federal Government and industry stakeholders to address the concerns and ensure communities received their statutory benefits.

Both leaders called for stronger collaboration among host community representatives, traditional institutions, government agencies and oil operators to promote development and sustain peace in the Niger Delta.

The council said it would continue advocating youth empowerment, environmental protection, improved community funding and greater participation of Niger Delta indigenes in the oil and gas sector. 

(NAN)