The Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Peter Uviejetobor, presented his ministry’s proposed 2026 budget before the Ministry of Economic Planning at the State Secretariat, Asaba.
Speaking with journalists after the budget presentation, Uviejetobor described the 2026 proposal as “a budget of inclusiveness,” adding that all key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector were fully involved in shaping its direction.
According to him, the Ministry of Oil and Gas is primarily a mediatory agency, responsible for managing relationships between host communities and oil companies — a responsibility he said the ministry has performed diligently, helping Delta maintain its position as Nigeria’s number one oil-producing state.
“This is a 2026 budget of inclusiveness, and it’s going to be fantastic because all stakeholders will be involved,” he said.
“Our responsibility is mediation, and by the effort of my directors and staff, we have retained Delta State as the number one oil-producing state in the country.”
Uviejetobor noted that he is determined to maintain this status until the end of his tenure.
The commissioner revealed that his ministry has one of the smallest budget allocations in the state because it is not a project-awarding ministry.
“My budget cap is the smallest across all ministries,” he said.
“Our work is largely mediatory; we don’t award capital projects. The budget is small because it is not a project-awarding ministry.”
Despite having a small budget, Uviejetobor announced that the ministry recorded outstanding revenue performance this year, achieving nearly three times its projected revenue.
“This is the first time the ministry has almost tripled its revenue,” he said.
According to him: Revenue realised from registration and renewal fees for oil and gas operators reached 285.85% of the approved target.
Revenue from petroleum product storage, lifting and discharge fees, haulage truck fees, tank farm operations, domestic gas depots, and surface tank dealers exceeded 200.34% of projections.
He expressed confidence that the ministry would surpass its revenue targets again in 2026.
Uviejetobor appealed for support in providing speedboats and vehicles to boost revenue collection, especially in riverine communities where most oil and gas activities take place.
“To double our revenue next year, we need speedboats because most revenue comes from the riverine areas,” he said.
“A memo for vehicles and speedboats was earlier approved by the former governor, and we are asking for support to fully implement it.”
The commissioner also highlighted the ministry’s achievements in crisis mediation between host communities and oil companies.
He noted that several disputes involving companies — including those operating platforms such as SEEPCO — were resolved without escalation.
“Delta is the number one oil-producing state because we handle crisis mediation effectively,” he explained.
“We do not take sides; we look at issues holistically and reach decisions that bring peace. That is why the oil industry is stable and peaceful today.”
He said the ministry’s efforts have reduced tensions across oil-producing communities, ensuring uninterrupted production and strengthening the state’s revenue base.
