The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has supervised the handover of the OLO Oilfield Host Community Development Trust from TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc to Aradel Holdings, ensuring continuity in community development following a change in operator.
The handover ceremony was held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja and brought together senior officials of the regulator, representatives of both companies, and leaders of the OLO host communities. The transfer completes the shift of settlor responsibilities under the trust, in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The regulator said the transition will allow community development programmes linked to the Olo/Olo West marginal field to continue without interruption. The OLO Host Community Development Trust was created under the PIA, which requires oil and gas operators to contribute three per cent of their previous year’s operating expenditure toward projects in host communities.
Since its establishment, the trust has delivered over 100 projects between 2023 and 2025, covering water supply, electricity, roads, education, and healthcare. About 40 additional projects are currently ongoing, with more than 25,000 residents across the host communities reported to have benefited.
TotalEnergies, the former operator of the Olo/Olo West marginal field within the old OML 58 in the Eastern Niger Delta, confirmed that all its obligations under the trust were fully met before the transfer. Following regulatory approval, Aradel Holdings has now assumed full responsibility for the trust.
Speaking at the event, the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Capt. John Tonlagha, said the transition shows that the PIA framework is working as intended to protect host community interests during asset transfers.
He added that the trust’s governance structure remains unchanged and that funding obligations will continue seamlessly under the new operator. According to him, the commission will maintain strong oversight to ensure full compliance with the law.
The General Manager for Community Affairs, Projects and Development at TotalEnergies, Dornu Kogam, encouraged Aradel to sustain the transparent and community-focused engagement model used in executing past projects. In response, Aradel’s Community Affairs Manager, Blessyn Okpowo, assured stakeholders that the company would meet all statutory obligations and continue meaningful engagement with host communities.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the OLO Host Community Development Trust, Wale Godwin, said 118 out of the 160 planned projects have already been completed. He also praised the regulator’s role in approving the Community Development Plan and ensuring proper oversight.
The host community framework under the Petroleum Industry Act is considered a major reform in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, aimed at reducing conflict, promoting stability, and ensuring oil-producing communities benefit directly from petroleum operations.
