Over 1,100 Host Community Projects Ongoing Across Niger Delta, Says NUPRC

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has revealed that more than 1,100 projects are currently underway across the Niger Delta under the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The disclosure was made by Kingsley Ehiaguina, NUPRC’s Assistant Director of Host Community Development Affairs, during the formal inauguration of the Board of Trustees for the PML 66 Host Communities Development Trust by Ingentia Energies Limited in Port Harcourt. The newly established trust covers Egbolom, Omelema, and Ahoada I communities in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Ehiaguina highlighted that since the PIA’s implementation, 163 HCDTs have been incorporated nationwide, with statutory remittances funding infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects. He added that over 200 completed projects have already been commissioned under the scheme.

Under the provisions of the PIA 2021, petroleum exploration and production companies are mandated to contribute 3% of their previous year’s operating expenses directly to designated host community trusts to foster targeted local development.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ingentia Energies Limited, Charles Odita, expressed optimism that the board’s inauguration would accelerate socio-economic progress for the host communities, allowing local representatives to directly determine and manage project priorities.

Representatives from the Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs also urged the newly appointed trustees to ensure community projects align with state development plans focusing on infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture.