The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says more than 1,100 development projects are currently being implemented across oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta through the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The commission made the disclosure during the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the PML 66 Host Communities Development Trust, established by Ingentia Energies Limited for the communities of Egbolom, Omelema and Ahoada I in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event in Port Harcourt, NUPRC’s Assistant Director of Host Community Development Affairs, Kingsley Ehiaguina, said the HCDT initiative has continued to record significant progress since its introduction under the PIA.
According to him, 163 Host Community Development Trusts have been incorporated, with billions of naira already paid into their accounts to support community-driven development. He added that more than 200 projects have been completed and commissioned, while over 1,100 others are ongoing across the region.
Ehiaguina described the trust framework as a major step toward improving the welfare of oil-producing communities through collaboration between operators and their host communities. He also praised Ingentia Energies Limited for complying with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
He assured members of the newly inaugurated board that the commission would ensure operators fulfill their statutory obligation of contributing three per cent of their previous year’s operating expenditure to the trust, while urging the trustees to manage the funds responsibly and transparently.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ingentia Energies Limited, Charles Odita, said the establishment of the trust followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and community representatives.
Odita explained that the PIA requires operators to contribute three per cent of their annual operating expenditure to the Host Community Development Trust, while the host communities determine how the funds will be used for development projects. He expressed optimism that the inauguration would accelerate development within the affected communities.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Patrick Ndukwe, described the inauguration as an important milestone for both the energy sector and the host communities.
He encouraged the trustees to prioritize projects that complement the Rivers State Government’s development agenda, particularly in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, and sustainable urban and rural development.
A consultant to Ingentia Energies Limited, Godwin Minimah, said the inauguration of the Board of Trustees represents another step toward strengthening cooperation between the company and its host communities.
