Indigenes of Ogoloma and Koniama communities in Okrika LGA of Rivers State have commended the Federal Government for mandating oil companies to set up Host Community Development Trusts, HCDTs, in any community they carry out operations, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
The indigenes, who spoke during the inauguration of HCDT for Dawes-Island communities by Petralon 54, an indigenous oil exploration and production company, noted that the development has guaranteed shared prosperity for stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
Petralon 54, a subsidiary of Petralon Energy, was assigned the sole operatorship of the Dawes-Island Field which includes Ogoloma and Koniama (Okochiri and Koniju) in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking during the inauguration, held in Port Harcourt over the weekend, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoloma Host Community Development Trust, Chief Miebaka Tamunopekerebia, commended the Federal Government and Petralon 54 for setting up the HDCT.
Tamunopekerebia noted that the HDCT would not only provide an avenue for amicable resolution of all conflicts but also ensure that all stakeholders, including the host communities and the oil companies, enjoy mutual prosperity.
“With the HCDT, a sustainable path to mutual growth, shared prosperity and harmonious interaction has been created for the stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, and we are grateful to the Federal Government for the noble initiative that brought about this development,” Tamunopekerebia said.
He reiterated that Section 3 of the PIA had mandated oil companies to establish Host Community Development Trust, HCDT, for sustainable prosperity, peaceful co-existence and to address the needs of oil-bearing and impacted communities.
In his speech, Chief Chris Biriowu, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Koniama HCDT, and spokesperson for the Okochiri Kingdom, commended the board and management of Petralon 54 for their commitment and interest in the wellbeing of the people of Okochiri and Koniju – the two communities under the Koniama HCDT.
Biriowu described the HDCT as a platform for community empowerment and development.
“I am happy to be a part of this process that will bring empowerment to our people and development to our community. I applaud the leadership of Petralon 54 for their transparency and noble intensions and would like to assure the company of the cooperation of the people of Okochiri,” Biriowu said.
In his welcome remarks at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Petralton Energy, Ahonsi Unuigbe, said the constitution of the HCDT was not just in compliance with Section 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act, but an expression of the company’s rooted culture of identifying, addressing and aligning with the needs and aspiration of stakeholders, especially the host communities.
Unuigbe said, “I am excited that we are making history today by coming together to create a beautiful future for the next generation and charting a path for sustainable partnership, empowerment and inclusive growth with the inauguration of Development Trust for our host communities.”
In the same vein, the Executive Director of Petralon 54, Uduakobong Equere, said the event was an indication that community growth, development and harmony are the priorities in the company’s operations.
“These Trusts belong to the people of Ogoloma and Koniama, and they are designed to ensure that the benefits of oil and gas operations are visible, measurable, and sustainable at the grassroot level,” he added.
Members of the Board of Trustees for Ogoloma and Koniama Communities Development Trusts include Ndukwe Patrick, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Rivers State; Olatokunbo Karimu, Assistant Director, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC; Dr. Ogechi Opete, Deputy Director, NUPRC, Port Harcourt Regional Office, who represented Engr. Kayode Komolafe, Chief Executive, NUPRC.
Others are Felix Amiesimaka, Okochiri Community Chairman; Ajubo Jamabo, Exco member, Council of Chiefs of Ogoloma Kingdom; Chief Nyengala Justice, representing His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, the Amanayabo of Koniju Kingdom; Adokiye Aderika, representing His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Michael Tom, the Amanayabo of Okochiri Kingdom, and the representative of His Royal Majesty, King E.T.I Obudibo, Ikwo V, the Amanayabo of Ogoloma Kingdom.
