HOSTCOM explains NUPRC role in PIA implementation

• Fingers IOCs For Sponsoring Attacks On Commission

The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) has explained the role of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in the implementation of the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA) amid infighting among host communities over the commission’s involvement.

A group purportedly representing oil communities in Bayelsa State had kicked against attempts by the commission to get involved in the day-to-day management of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDT).

Speaking at a press briefing at the weekend the National President of Hostcom, Dr. Benjamin Tamaranebi, said they decided to make some clarifications on the issues of NUPRCs involvement in the management of the HCDT in the light of unnecessary agitation it has caused within the ranks of some misinformed persons and groups who had resorted to issuing unwarranted threats in the media.

Tamaranebi clarified that the involvement of NUPRC was purely regulatory to ensure proper implementation of the benefit to all stakeholders and nothing more.

He said: “It is necessary to state for the umpteenth time that the NUPRC is only involved in the execution of the HCDT to the extent prescribed in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the regulations governing the implementation of the trust which was approved by stakeholders and gazetted by the government.  

“The commission is not unaware of the antics of those who are not comfortable with the new regulations but would prefer the status quo of host communities being short-changed continues.

“It is important, first and foremost to reiterate that the NUPRC is a regulatory body established by law to oversee the upstream petroleum sector, thus its primary objective is ensuring efficient and sustainable petroleum resource exploration and production in Nigeria. This includes safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, including our oil and gas host communities.

“Part of the functions of the NUPRC is to superintend and monitor the implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust as stipulated in Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Regulation (NUPHCR), 2022.”  

He fingered the multi-national oil companies operating in Nigeria for the attacks on the commission because of the introduction of the digital platform and implementation by OEM host comply, which has heated the operators and ending the sharp practices of oil multinationals and their cohorts. 

He said, with HOSTCOMPLY, an app created by the upstream regulator to monitor and ensure transparency in the execution of funds in the host communities development trust funds, host communities can go and sleep with there two eyes closed.