The National President of the Southern Youth Foundation (SYF), has debunked news of circulating claims that he confirmed Aradel Holdings had fully paid its Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) obligations to the Ogbele Community.
The clarification follows public misinterpretations of remarks made by Amb. Ibe during an SYF award presentation ceremony on 5th May, 2025, where Aradel Holdings was recognized for its community development efforts in the Niger Delta.
The company’s Managing Director, Engr. Adegbite Falade, and Community Affairs Manager, Mr. Blessyn Okpowo, were both honoured at the event for promoting sustainable development across host communities.
In a statement released on Thursday, Amb. Ibe made it clear that at no point did he state that Aradel had completed all PIA-related payments to the Ogbele Community.
“I did not say that Aradel Holdings has paid all its PIA obligations to Ogbele as some rumours have suggested,” Ibe stated.
“My remarks were to commend the company’s general efforts in community development and to encourage continued cooperation between host communities and the company.”
He stressed that his original message was one of unity and constructive partnership, urging communities to collaborate with Aradel Holdings in order to fully benefit from the opportunities and projects being initiated.
“Let us not allow misinformation to derail the progress that is being made. We must continue to engage meaningfully so that every developmental promise can become a shared reality,” he added.
Aradel Holdings has been widely recognized for its adherence to the 3% Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) requirement under the PIA, with several initiatives in motion, including healthcare outreach, infrastructure upgrades, and educational improvements.
The SYF National President reiterated that while commendable strides are being made, ongoing dialogue and transparent communication remain essential in ensuring that development objectives are fully met.
This clarification comes at a time when community expectations are high, and Amb. Ibe’s message serves as a call for unity, cooperation, and clarity among stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.