By Emeka Nwokocha/Christy Ichofu
The Management of NEPL/FHN JV Partners has handed over a 9-man Board of Trustees and 36-man Management and Advisory Committees to the leadership of OML26 communities to operationalize the AIO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), in line with Chapter 3 of the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Speaking at the official handing over of the BOT, Management, and Advisory Committees, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at a ceremony tagged, “Introduction and Handover of the AIO Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) to Leadership of the OML26 Communities,” the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of OML26 AMT, Engr. Omagbemi Kakayor described the event as a milestone in the implementation of the PIA, which seeks to address the economic and infrastructural challenges of oil and gas-bearing communities.
Engr. Omagbemi emphasized the important roles host communities play in the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, stating that the PIA encourages community participation and empowers host communities to own and efficiently manage a process that drives community development.
He stated, “OML26 AMT promotes community participation and fosters partnership towards sustaining host communities’ development,” assuring that in the days ahead, there would be a significant upscale in economic and infrastructural development in the host communities as management of the HCDT kicks off.
Engr. Omagbemi extolled the commitment of NEPL/FHN JV Partners in bringing to start the operation of the HCDT, even as he rated the achievement as first among other asset operators in Delta State.
Engr Omagbemi described the host communities as valuable partners in the operations of NEPL/FHN JV Partners, tasking the host communities on sustainable, peaceful cooperation to enable a scale-up in oil production, saying, “When there is an increase in oil production, the communities will enjoy more benefits.”
Speaking, the Commissioner for Oil & Gas, Delta State, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor JP, commended NEPL/FHN JV Partners for incorporating the HCDT, and the subsequent handing over of the BOT, Management Committee, and Advisory Committee of the HCDT to the leadership of the OML26 communities, stating that it would improve social and economic development of the host communities.
Hon. Uviejitobor described the event as a welcome development, saying, “It’s in harmony with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda which prioritize socioeconomic development and wellbeing of the people of Delta State, assuring of his ministry’s support in achieving the objective of the HCDT.
Speaking, the manager of GSC at OML26 AMT, Mr. Fufeyin Funkakpo, emphasized the crucial functions of the BOT, Management Committee, and Advisory Committee ineffective and prudent management of the HCDT.
Continuing, he stated that the acronym, “AIO HCDT” was crafted by the management of NEPL/FHN JV Partners to fittingly represent the 36 host communities in the HCDT, even as he emphasized the independent functions of the administrative arms of the HCDT, noting that unfettered collaboration among the arms is fundamental in the success of the HCDT.
Also speaking, the representative of NEPL Management, Mrs. Onyebuchi Okonji appreciated the OML26 communities for their peaceful disposition over the years. She urged them to sustain the existing peace and mutual cooperation as the implementation of the HCDT commences.
She said, “If there is peace in our operations everybody will be happy.”
Speaking, the Chairman of the BOT, Osuazo Obaro, assured that the BOT would maintain seamless collaboration with the Management Committee and the Advisory Committee, pledging that “There will be judicious and transparent management of the HCDT in line with the statutory provisions of the PIA.”
The members of the BOT, Management Committee, and Advisory Committee of the HCDT received a royal blessing from the King of Ozoro kingdom, HRM Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, (Ibuka 1) the Ovie of Ozoro kingdom.
Present at the epoch event were traditional rulers of OML26 communities, including the President Generals (PGs) of the OML26 communities, Women leaders, and Youth leaders.
