More than 1,100 community development initiatives are currently underway in the Niger Delta region, according to the NUPRC.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has revealed that over 1,100 projects are currently underway across the Niger Delta, all falling under the Host Communities Development Trust framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act.

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This framework was highlighted by Kingsley Ehiaguina, Assistant Director of Host Community Development Affairs at NUPRC, during the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the PML 66 Host Communities Development Trust by Ingentia Energies Limited in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

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The trust in question comprises three communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, namely Egbolom, Omelema, and Ahoada I.

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The Petroleum Industry Act, which took effect in 2021, provides a comprehensive framework for Nigeria's petroleum industry, encompassing legal, governance, regulatory, and fiscal aspects.

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It also established the Host Communities Development Trust to ensure that oil-producing communities directly benefit from petroleum operations by identifying and implementing projects tailored to their development needs.

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Ehiaguina expressed his delight at the inauguration, stating that it marked a significant milestone in the implementation and operationalization of the HCDT framework.

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According to him, the inauguration of the PML 66 HCDT is a testament to the progress made in implementing and operationalizing the Host Community Development Trust, which has the potential to transform host communities.

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Since the implementation of the HCDT, 163 trusts have been incorporated, with billions of naira remitted into various accounts and over 1,100 projects currently ongoing across the Niger Delta, including over 200 commissioned projects.

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Ehiaguina commended Ingentia Energies Limited for its commitment to implementing the Petroleum Industry Act, both in letter and spirit.

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He assured the trustees that the NUPRC would ensure they receive their rightful entitlements, including the company's three percent statutory contribution, to achieve sustainable development for their community.

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Ehiaguina urged the Board of Trustees to maintain transparency and work in the best interests of the host communities.

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Ingentia Energies Limited's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Odita, noted that the trust was established after extensive consultations with stakeholders and host communities.

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Odita expressed satisfaction that the board had finally been inaugurated, despite delays involving various stakeholders, and stated that the company would provide funding for projects selected by its host communities in line with the PIA.

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He believes that the inauguration of the Trust will significantly impact the community, as the company will set aside three percent of its operating expenditure for the previous year to be given to the Host Community Development Trust.

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Patrick Ndukwe, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, described the inauguration as a significant milestone for the energy sector and the host communities of PML 66.

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Ndukwe assured that the state government would continue to provide a peaceful and conducive environment for businesses to thrive and urged the trustees to select projects that align with the Rivers State Government's development priorities.

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He listed infrastructure development, sustainable urban and rural communities, road construction, transportation, quality education, healthcare, and agriculture as the state's development priorities, emphasizing the need for projects to align with the Rivers State Government's development plan under Governor Siminalayi Fubara's leadership.

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Godwin Minimah, a consultant to Ingentia Energies Limited, earlier described the inauguration of the PML 66 Board of Trustees as a significant step towards strengthening relations between the company and its host communities.