By Moses Patience Chat
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in collaboration with Ford Foundation, has conducted a capacity-building programme on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for representatives of host communities drawn from five oil-producing states in the Niger Delta.
The recently-held training, which lasted for one week, took place in Warri, Delta State. It was aimed at restructuring the management of the host communities and regulating midstream and downstream operations. Participants in the capacity building programme were drawn from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo States.
Speaking to the delegation, the Executive Director of PIND, Mr Tunji Idowu, who was represented by the Advocacy Manager, Chuks Ofulue, stated that the execution of the PIA has shown the government’s efforts to establish good governance, best practices and ease of doing business in the oil and gas sector. The PIA was signed into law on August 16, 2021,
Idowu further explained that the project activities are creating awareness and deepening knowledge of the PIA’s technical components among community stakeholders.
His words: “In restructuring the management of the host communities, Chapter 3 of the PIA mandates the creation of the host Communities Development Trust to improve the quality of life of the host communities’ population and improve accountability in the management of the HCDT Fund.”
According the PIND Director, “one benefit that the community stands to get from the PIA is sustainable community development, manifested by the requirement for participatory needs assessment and community development plans to deliver sustainable growth.”
He concluded by calling for accountability from all Host Communities Development Trusts.