FG Promises to Develop Oil-producing Communities

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The federal government has stated its readiness to always ensure an all-round development of oil-producing host communities in the country as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Head of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Warri Regional Office, Mr. Olusegun Benjamin Ogunubi, who gave the assurance in a statement, said the Host Community Development Trust fund (HCDT) created by the Petroleum Industry Act, gave the commission the statutory obligation of ensuring the settlors fund it for the concerned communities.

He said: “Through the Host Community Development Trust fund (HCDT), the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will continue to ensure compliance from the settlors as regards their statutory responsibilities towards the concerned communities together in which three percent of their operating expenditure will be used to develop the communities.”

Ogunubi,, however, stated that if the concerned communities could not form a trust fund, the bulk of the funds would be used to develop projects defined by the communities.

While commending stakeholders and communities in the state for their cooperation with the commission, he called for more support from the people of Ugborodo community in Delta State and that the smooth-running of Escravos operations must be ensured.

In the meantime, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse, has assured the people of his readiness to always rally around the leadership of the NUPRC led by the Chief Commission Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, urging him and his team to see to the plight of the host communities.

The monarch, while playing host to Ogunubi and his team in his palace in Warri, Delta State, called for transparency in their engagements with the people, stakeholders, and the host communities, stating that he was optimistic that the NUPRC Warri Regional Office would succeed in it assignment.

The Olu of Warri also urged the commission to organise an enlarged parley of relevant stakeholders and the host communities for felt-needs assessment for the betterment of all.

Those on the entourage included Dr. David Michaels; Head of Development, Mr. Tom Senibo; Head of Gas Production, Dr. Muhammed Iaminga; Manager, Environment and Community, Mr. Nri Tobechi, and Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mrs. Akpojisheri, among many others.

FG Promises to Develop Oil-producing Communities

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The federal government has stated its readiness to always ensure an all-round development of oil-producing host communities in the country as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Head of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Warri Regional Office, Mr. Olusegun Benjamin Ogunubi, who gave the assurance in a statement, said the Host Community Development Trust fund (HCDT) created by the Petroleum Industry Act, gave the commission the statutory obligation of ensuring the settlors fund it for the concerned communities.

He said: “Through the Host Community Development Trust fund (HCDT), the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will continue to ensure compliance from the settlors as regards their statutory responsibilities towards the concerned communities together in which three percent of their operating expenditure will be used to develop the communities.”

Ogunubi,, however, stated that if the concerned communities could not form a trust fund, the bulk of the funds would be used to develop projects defined by the communities.

While commending stakeholders and communities in the state for their cooperation with the commission, he called for more support from the people of Ugborodo community in Delta State and that the smooth-running of Escravos operations must be ensured.

In the meantime, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse, has assured the people of his readiness to always rally around the leadership of the NUPRC led by the Chief Commission Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, urging him and his team to see to the plight of the host communities.

The monarch, while playing host to Ogunubi and his team in his palace in Warri, Delta State, called for transparency in their engagements with the people, stakeholders, and the host communities, stating that he was optimistic that the NUPRC Warri Regional Office would succeed in it assignment.

The Olu of Warri also urged the commission to organise an enlarged parley of relevant stakeholders and the host communities for felt-needs assessment for the betterment of all.

Those on the entourage included Dr. David Michaels; Head of Development, Mr. Tom Senibo; Head of Gas Production, Dr. Muhammed Iaminga; Manager, Environment and Community, Mr. Nri Tobechi, and Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mrs. Akpojisheri, among many others.