The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has inaugurated a National Multi-Stakeholder Platform to address gaps in Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) governance and support effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act across the Niger Delta.

Established under PIND’s CONNECT Project in partnership with the Ford Foundation, the platform brings together HCDTs, communities, state governments, regulators, civil society organisations, settlors, petroleum-sector actors and development partners.
The project is designed to strengthen engagement through structured dialogue, evidence sharing, and coordinated action.

At the inauguration in Port Harcourt, members established the platform’s leadership structure and agreed operating arrangements, priorities, responsibilities and timelines.
The platform will focus on practical challenges affecting HCDT governance, regulatory collaboration, transparency, community participation, climate-responsive development planning, conflict sensitivity and evidence-based decision-making.

PIND Executive Director, Mr. Sam Daibo, said the platform was created to deliver action, not another layer of discussion.

“The real test of this platform will be what happens after today, whether stakeholders follow through on agreed priorities, share evidence, resolve issues early and improve development outcomes for host communities,” Daibo said.

He said PIND will provide the Secretariat and technical support, but the platform’s strength will come from the leadership, participation and accountability of ITS members.
Daibo explained that the CONNECT Project builds on learning from PIND’s Bridges Project and aims to scale tested approaches for community-led development.

He listed its priorities to include institutionalising national and state-level stakeholder platforms, deepening engagement with government and regulators, integrating climate and environmental sustainability into Community Development Plans, and strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.
The Chairman, National Multistakeholder Platform, Prof. Ajibola Obafemi, who delivered the stakeholder response, said sustained collaboration would be essential to translate the PIA’s host-community provisions into stronger institutions and visible development results.

“No institution or stakeholder group can close these gaps alone. This platform gives us a shared mechanism to surface challenges, learn across sectors and agree who will do what and by when to strengthen trust, accountability and delivery,” Ajibola said.

Ajibola said the National MSP will operate through a Plenary, Steering Committee and time-bound Technical Working Groups.
He said PIND will serve as Secretariat, supporting coordination, documentation and action tracking while the platform’s leadership and members drive agreed priorities.
According to him, the state-level engagements and technical reviews will follow as the CONNECT Project advances.