Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reiterated its commitment to the utilization of funds allocated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to drive education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable development in host communities.

This pledge was made during a stakeholder engagement session which was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the weekend with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), a cluster of host communities comprising Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri in Bayelsa State, under the NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) JV.

Engr. Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, while speaking at the engagement session, said NNPC Ltd was committed to ensuring that funds approved for the development of host communities under the PIA are channeled towards projects that address critical needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Engr. Omotowa who was represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson stressed that collaboration between stakeholders was essential to achieving lasting socio-economic development.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), in his remarks, commended the NNPC LTD/FIRST E&P JV for sustaining its strategic partnership with KEFFESO HCDT and urged community leaders to work together to ensure peace and stability in their communities.

He emphasized that without peace, companies would struggle to operate effectively, ultimately impacting the 3% Host Community Fund approved in the PIA for development initiatives.

Captain John Tonlagha, Executive Commissioner, Safety, Environment, and Community, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), who represented the Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, commended the institutionalization of the community development trust initiative, describing it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s petroleum sector with the introduction of the much-needed governance, transparency, and accountability in community development efforts.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, was represented by the Board’s Director of Legal Services, Barr. Naboth Onyesoh, commended the KEFFESO HCDT for its commitment to driving sustainable development through the PIA framework and the NUPRC for successfully incorporating over 100 Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) to support socio-economic growth in the region.

Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director of FIRST E&P, who Mr. John Alamu represented, in his part, commended the KEFFESO HCDT for creating a platform that encourages dialogue, collaboration, and accountability, describing it as a model for other host community development trusts to emulate.

His Royal Highness, Moses Theophilus, Chairman of the KEFFESO HCDT, lauded the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV for its proactive steps in ensuring that the KEFFESO communities benefit significantly from the PIA framework.

The forum therefore called for sustained collaboration, emphasizing that the success of the PIA depends on strong partnerships, peace, and a shared commitment to community development.