NNPC champions effective utilisation of host community funds

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.  (NNPC Ltd.) has reaffirmed  commitment to ensuring that funds allocated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are effectively utilised to deliver meaningful development in host communities.

Mr Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Ltd.  made the pledge at  a stakeholders engagement session held with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

KEFFESO HCDT is a cluster of host communities comprising Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri in Bayelsa.

These are under the NNPC Ltd. FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV).

Omotowa, in  a statement on Monday by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. said it was committed to ensuring proper utilisation of funds approved for  development of host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Omotowa, represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs Edith Lawson,  said the NNPC Ltd. would ensure that  the funds were channelled toward projects that addressed critical needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

He said that collaboration between stakeholders was essential to achieving lasting socio-economic development.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, commended the NNPC Ltd. /FIRST E&P JV for sustaining its strategic partnership with KEFFESO HCDT and urged community leaders to collaborate to ensure peace and stability in their communities.

Lokpobiri emphasised that without peace, companies would struggle to operate effectively, ultimately impacting the three per cent Host Community Fund approved in the PIA for development initiatives.

Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Komolafe,  Chief Executive,

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), commended the institutionalisation of the community

development trust initiative.

Komolafe, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Safety, Environment, and Community, Captain John Tonlagha, described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s petroleum sector with the introduction of the much-needed governance, transparency, and accountability in community development efforts.

Mr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), also commended the KEFFESO HCDT for its commitment to driving sustainable development through the PIA framework.

Omatsola, represented by the Board’s

Director of Legal Services, Mr Naboth Onyesoh, also lauded the NUPRC for successfully incorporating over 100 HCDTs to support socio-economic growth in the region.

On his part, the Managing Director of FIRST E&P, Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, who was represented by Mr John Alamu, commended the KEFFESO HCDT for creating a platform that encourages dialogue, collaboration, and accountability.

He described it as a model for other host community development trusts to emulate.

The Chairman of the KEFFESO HCDT, His Royal Highness, Moses Theophilus, thanked the NNPC Ltd. /FIRST E&P JV for its proactive steps in ensuring that the KEFFESO communities benefited significantly from the PIA framework.

The forum concluded with a collective call for sustained collaboration, emphasising that success of the PIA,  depended  on strong partnerships, peace, and a shared commitment to community development. (NAN)