NEWS
Oil Industry Opposes Proposed 3% South-South Development Levy
The proposal seeking to compel oil and gas producing companies to contribute three percent of their annual budgets to the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has met with stiff opposition from the oil industry.
Major oil industry operators and petroleum regulators on Wednesday cautioned that the levy may discourage investment and undermine the competitiveness of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The concerns were raised at a resumed public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on the SSDC on a bill seeking to amend the South-South Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025, with a view to strengthening the commission’s funding framework.
The hearing brought together petroleum regulators, oil producers, government agencies and other stakeholders to scrutinise the proposed legislation before it proceeds for further legislative consideration.
The Chairman of the Committee, Julius Pondi, said the hearing was reconvened to accommodate critical stakeholders who were unable to attend the first session on July 8 because of their participation in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference.
He said the committee considered it necessary to hear from all relevant stakeholders, given the strategic role of the petroleum sector in the proposed amendment.
According to the Delta lawmaker, the amendment is designed to broaden the funding base of the commission to enable it to discharge its mandate of promoting sustainable development across the South-South region.
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He noted that despite serving as the nation’s economic backbone through crude oil production, maritime activities and industrial operations, the South-South continues to grapple with poor infrastructure, environmental degradation and other developmental challenges.
“We are particularly interested in receiving constructive contributions on the proposed funding framework, its sustainability, its implications for government and industry, as well as alternative proposals that can further strengthen the objectives of the legislation,” he said.
However, the proposed funding model drew strong reservations from industry regulators and operators.
Presenting the position of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, represented by the Head of Regulations and Statutory Compliance, Kingsley Chikwendu, expressed support for providing the commission with a predictable and sustainable funding structure.
She, however, faulted the provision requiring oil-producing companies operating within the region to contribute three per cent of their total annual budgets to the commission.
Eyesan argued that the phrase “total annual budget” was not defined in the bill, creating uncertainty over how contributions would be calculated and enforced.
She maintained that the proposal failed to clarify critical issues, “including the basis for assessment, deductibility of payments, timelines for remittance, treatment of joint venture operations and companies with operations spanning multiple regions.”
According to her, the provision could effectively introduce another expenditure-based levy that companies would pay regardless of profitability or production levels.
The NUPRC also reminded lawmakers that upstream operators “are already subject to numerous statutory financial obligations, including petroleum taxes, royalties, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) levy, Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) contributions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Nigerian Content Development Fund payments, environmental remediation obligations and abandonment fund contributions.
The commission urged lawmakers to carefully “evaluate the likely impact of the proposed levy on investment decisions, production costs and the competitiveness of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.”
On its part, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) also echoed similar concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the authority, Senior Manager Ahmed Laido advised lawmakers to ensure that any additional funding mechanism aligns with the fiscal philosophy of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
He said any new financial obligation “should strengthen investor confidence, promote regulatory certainty and support the Federal Government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda.”
Laido urged the committee to balance the funding needs of the commission with the need to preserve a competitive investment environment.
The strongest opposition came from the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
Its Chairman, Bala Wudiri, argued that “oil companies are already making substantial statutory contributions under existing laws” and warned against creating another compulsory levy.
He cautioned that imposing an additional three percent contribution would “increase the financial burden on operators, duplicate existing obligations and weaken Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination.”
Wudiri urged lawmakers to adopt a balanced funding model capable of strengthening the SSDC without discouraging investment in the oil and gas industry.
Despite the differing views, stakeholders unanimously supported the objective of accelerating development across the South-South region.
Most participants agreed that the commission requires adequate funding to deliver critical infrastructure and development projects but urged lawmakers to adopt a financing framework that does not undermine investment or increase the cost of doing business.
The SSDC was established to coordinate and accelerate development across the six states of the South-South geopolitical zone, addressing long-standing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, unemployment and the socio-economic impact of decades of oil exploration.
The amendment, currently before the House of Representatives seeks to strengthen the commission’s financial capacity by expanding its sources of funding.
However, the proposal requiring oil-producing companies to contribute three per cent of their annual budgets has emerged as the most contentious provision, with regulators and industry operators warning that it could overlap with existing statutory obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act and other extant laws.
The House Committee is expected to review memoranda and submissions from stakeholders before presenting its report and recommendations for consideration by the House of Representatives.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed renewed investment and stronger performance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market.
Shettima spoke on Friday in Lagos while commissioning the ultra-modern corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited in Victoria Island.
The Vice President said the reforms had confronted distortions that previously discouraged productive investment, while improved market stability was helping businesses make longer-term investment decisions.
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According to him, greater exchange-rate predictability strengthens procurement, improves investment decisions and supports production.
“The stabilisation of the market is restoring the confidence businesses need to commit capital beyond the next quarter. A business must be able to plan before it can expand.
“Greater exchange rate predictability strengthens procurement, improves investment decisions and supports production,” Shettima said.
He assured investors that the Federal Government would continue to create conditions that reward enterprise, encourage technological advancement and sustain economic growth.
“We recognise the sacrifices reform has demanded, and our obligation is to translate economic progress into better lives,” he added.
Speaking on the newly commissioned Northwest Petroleum facility, Shettima described the headquarters as a significant expansion for the indigenous company and said it demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian businesses to compete, innovate and deliver at international standards.
He said the facility sends a message to investors, customers and Nigerians that Northwest Petroleum is preparing for decades of service in a changing global energy economy.
“We take particular pride in seeing an indigenous enterprise expand with such conviction. Nigerian ownership must mean Nigerian capacity to compete, invent and deliver,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also stressed the importance of private enterprises in creating employment and economic opportunities, noting that government alone cannot manufacture prosperity.
He commended Northwest Petroleum for building a strong Nigerian presence across the oil and gas value chain since 1998, saying its continued expansion could create opportunities for young Nigerians, professionals, suppliers, transport operators, maintenance providers and other businesses.
The Vice President urged the company to use its new corporate hub to improve efficiency, coordination and productivity across its expanding operations.
He also expressed confidence that the facility would nurture creativity, reward innovation, generate profitability and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
Earlier, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended private-sector investors for contributing to the growth of the state.
Sanwo-Olu described the private sector as the “oil of growth” and reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He also thanked investors in the oil and gas, financial services and construction sectors for their contributions to the development of Lagos.
The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Winifred Akpani, said the new facility represented the company’s growth, confidence in Nigeria’s future and determination to build a modern Nigerian company capable of operating to high standards.
Akpani said the smart building was designed to promote collaboration, strengthen operational efficiency, encourage innovation and empower the company’s workforce.
She added that the future of the energy industry would increasingly depend on innovation, technology, responsible investment, strong partnerships and the development of Nigerian talent.
Also present at the commissioning were former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Fatima Aliko-Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Oil and Gas, WAEP, and Fertilizer, Dangote Industries Limited; former Delta State Governor James Ibori; and other business and industry leaders.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Lagos to commission the new corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited.
Shettima, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the event, is expected to deliver the keynote address and officially commission the facility alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government and private-sector leaders.
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The development was disclosed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President on Friday.
Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited is an indigenous oil and gas company involved in the importation, supply, distribution and storage of petroleum products, as well as crude oil export activities.
The investment is being positioned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of mobilising private capital, strengthening indigenous businesses and expanding the role of the private sector in Nigeria’s economic development.
The Tinubu administration has continued to emphasise private-sector-led growth and investment mobilisation as key components of its development strategy, with a focus on job creation, increased productive capacity and a more competitive economy.
The commissioning brings together senior government officials and private-sector stakeholders as the administration seeks to encourage greater domestic investment and enterprise development.
Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reacted to reports of arrests involving members of the Obidient Movement in Akwa Ibom State, saying Nigeria’s independence means little without freedom.
Obi, in a statement posted on X on Friday, said citizens should be able to express themselves within the bounds of the law without fear.
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“As we continue to reflect on Nigeria’s Independence, we must remember that independence means very little if citizens cannot freely express themselves, within the bounds of the law, without fear,” he said.
His comment came after the reported arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during an attempted Independence Day march in Uyo.
Reports also said police fired tear gas as supporters gathered for the planned march, while Obidient Movement coordinator in the state, Dr Ben Smith, was later reportedly arrested after going to facilitate the release of detained members.
The development followed a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings and processions planned for Independence Day, citing security concerns.
Reacting to the reports, Obi said the arrest of Nigerians for identifying with the Obidient Movement should concern anyone who believes in democracy and freedom.
“One of the greatest tragedies of our society is that people who once described themselves as freedom fighters can become defenders of oppression when they eventually occupy positions of authority,” Obi said.
He added that those who had previously complained about injustice should not become comfortable with it when it is perpetrated against people they disagree with.
“That must not be the Nigeria we accept,” he said.
Obi said Nigeria’s independence should ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.
“Our independence must ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.
“Nigeria must belong to all of us,” he added.
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