The Niger Delta Citizens Alliance (NDCA) has applauded the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its transformative impact on host communities in the oil-producing region over the past four years.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by its President, Kingsley Charles, and Secretary-General, Ogbobetta Nelli, the group praised the leadership of the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, for championing transparency, accountability, and community inclusion through the implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs).
“For decades, oil-producing communities were left with promises that never translated into tangible progress. But since the creation of the NUPRC in 2021, and under Engr. Komolafe’s stewardship, we have witnessed a genuine transformation,” the group stated. “The Host Community Development Trust has restored hope by ensuring that oil wealth is finally reaching the people.”
The NDCA lauded the Commission’s supervision of the ₦373 billion Host Community Development Fund and over 500 ongoing projects across the Niger Delta, describing the initiative as “the most inclusive community intervention in Nigeria’s oil history.”
“These projects are not political billboards — they are real,” the group noted. “From hospitals and schools in Rivers and Bayelsa to water projects and skill centres in Delta and Akwa Ibom, the impact is visible. NUPRC has bridged the gap between communities and corporations, replacing years of conflict with structured collaboration and accountability.”
According to the Alliance, the introduction of HostComply, a digital compliance dashboard developed by the NUPRC, has brought unprecedented transparency to the management of host community funds.
“Through technology, the Commission has empowered host communities to take ownership of their development. For the first time, people can monitor how funds are used and what projects are delivered. This level of openness has drastically reduced community tensions and fostered trust between oil operators and residents,” it said.
The NDCA further commended the Commission’s directive that project execution under the Host Community Development Trust must prioritise local labour and suppliers, noting that the policy has created thousands of jobs for young people in host areas.
“This model of development is what the Niger Delta has always demanded — a process where the people are participants, not spectators. The success of the Host Community Trust is a testament to what visionary leadership can achieve when transparency meets compassion,” the statement added.
The group urged oil companies operating in the region to remain fully compliant with their statutory obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly the three per cent annual contribution to the Host Community Development Trust Fund.
“Sustained compliance will ensure the continuity of critical infrastructure projects, deepen trust with host communities, and consolidate the gains already recorded under NUPRC’s supervision,” the NDCA said.
Congratulating the NUPRC on its fourth anniversary, the group described the Commission’s tenure under Komolafe as “a new era of fairness, inclusion, and shared prosperity in the Niger Delta.”
