A Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) has been inaugurated for oil-bearing communities of Efiat and Mbo in Akwa Ibom State.
The HCDT, initiated by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, is in line with the regulations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and is intended to drive development plans and initiatives based on the needs of the communities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the HCDT in Uyo, the Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Mustafa Indimi, said that progress was achieved as a result of consultation and collaboration with the communities.
He noted that the plan focuses on primary, secondary and tertiary education; basic utilities including water, electricity and shelter; access to health care; infrastructure development including roads; social, environmental and economic needs of the communities.
He explained that the plan specifies the community development initiatives required to respond to the findings and strategy identified in the Host Community Needs Assessment that they have conducted in the five communities.
He maintained that the plan also determines and specifies the projects and programmes to be implemented in each of the five communities.
Indimi, who was represented by the Head of External Relations, Kazeem Koleoso, particularly appreciated Effiat and Mbo communities representative committees for the support and cooperation the firm received while working towards establishing the Trust.
He said the establishment of Effiat and Mbo Host Communities’ Development Trust represents a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to create positive change and foster prosperity in the communities they operate.
“We expect the leadership of the Trust to recognise that sustainability development thrives only within an environment of peaceful co-existence. As such, the process of sustainable community development requires effective, result- oriented and purpose driven leadership,” he said.
Indimi noted that the ability of the Board of Trustees to attract and obtain funding from other actors in the public and private sectors would be a very good indicator of their capacity and capability as leaders and sustainable development champions for their respective communities.
“So far, more than 20,000 people have received free medical services held annually in Mbo, while more than 2,000 undergraduate students including students from Mbo Local Council have received payments from their annual university education support scheme.
“Furthermore, in 2020 we completed and handed over to Mbo Youths Empowerment Foundation a fully equipped printing and reprographics facility located at Enwang,” he added.
Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Chief Etim Uno, appreciated the firm for its ingenuity in managing its relationship with its host communities, which has resulted in the selection of people with proven integrity that would partner the state government to complement its efforts in infrastructural development, through implementation of sustainable projects.
He said: “As part of our commitment to actualise the ARISE Blueprint of His Excellency the governor in the oil and gas sector, the Ministry is poised to partner with the settlors to organise a capacity training workshop for critical organs of administration of the HCDTs in the state to enable a robust management structure for the HCDT.
“I charge all members of the BoT to understand that they were carefully chosen based on integrity and proven track record of excellence and they are expected to be diligent, selfless and work harmoniously with other stakeholders in the implementation of the PIA to the benefit of the people and the development of our communities,” he said.
