The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that funds allocated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are effectively utilized to drive sustainable development in host communities across the Niger Delta.
In a statement Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Abuja Olufemi Soneye said this commitment was made during a stakeholder engagement session held over the weekend with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), a cluster comprising Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri in Bayelsa State. The session was convened under the NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) in Yenagoa.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson, emphasized that NNPC Ltd remains committed to ensuring that PIA funds are directed toward critical projects in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve lasting socio-economic growth.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E&P JV for sustaining its strategic partnership with KEFFESO HCDT. He urged community leaders to work together to maintain peace and stability, highlighting that without peace, companies would face challenges operating effectively, thereby affecting the 3% Host Community Fund designated for development under the PIA.
Captain John Tonlagha, Executive Commissioner, Safety, Environment, and Community at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), commended the institutionalization of the community development trust initiative. He described it as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s petroleum sector, enhancing governance, transparency, and accountability in community development.
Similarly, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), represented by the Board’s Director of Legal Services, Barr. Naboth Onyesoh, applauded KEFFESO HCDT’s commitment to driving sustainable development under the PIA framework. He also acknowledged NUPRC’s role in successfully incorporating over 100 Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) to support socio-economic growth in the region.
Managing Director of FIRST E&P, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, represented by Mr. John Alamu, commended KEFFESO HCDT for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and accountability, describing it as a model for other host community development trusts.
KEFFESO HCDT Chairman, His Royal Highness Moses Theophilus, lauded the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E&P JV for its proactive steps in ensuring that KEFFESO communities benefit significantly from the PIA framework.
The forum concluded with a collective call for sustained collaboration, emphasizing that the success of the PIA hinges on strong partnerships, peace, and a shared commitment to community development.
