By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called on oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta to work together through their Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) to fully benefit from the three per cent funding allocation.

Lokpobiri made the appeal during the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event, themed “Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualizing the PIA Paradigm Shift,” brought together stakeholders from coastal communities including Koluama, Ezetu, Forupa, Fishtown, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu-Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri in Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas.

The minister explained that the federal government enacted the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to promote stability in the oil sector and address long-standing development concerns in host communities. Under the PIA, oil and gas companies must allocate three per cent of their operational expenses to host communities’ development.

However, Lokpobiri lamented that internal conflicts among stakeholders have prevented communities from accessing these funds.

“About N300 billion that could have benefited host communities is lying idle in the bank because stakeholders are in court, making it difficult for communities to access these funds,” he said.

He urged communities to cooperate with the federal government and oil companies to avoid disruptions in oil and gas production, warning that such disruptions ultimately hurt host communities the most.

“This forum is about ensuring that host communities maximize the benefits of the Host Communities Trust Funds as prescribed by the PIA. It is also about encouraging them to take ownership of the oil and gas assets in their communities.

“Every time there is a disruption in oil production, everyone loses—the federal government, oil companies, and, most importantly, the host communities. That is why collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial,” Lokpobiri emphasized.

The minister also highlighted the global shift away from fossil fuels, stressing that oil-producing communities must work together to maximize the value of their resources while they remain relevant.

“Fossil fuels will not disappear, but they have no value unless they are extracted and brought to the market. That is why we need cooperation,” he stated.

Lokpobiri recommended the KEFFESO model for oil-producing regions across Nigeria, noting that peace and stability would lead to greater benefits for host communities.

NCDMB Reaffirms Commitment to Local Content Development

In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Omotsola Ogbe, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to leveraging the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act.

Represented by the Board’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Natboth Onyesoh, Ogbe commended the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust, First E & P, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for their initiative in advancing community development.

First E & P’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, praised the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum as a valuable platform for meaningful discussions and strategic planning for the future of host communities.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KEFFESO HCDT, HRH Theophilus Moses, underscored the importance of collaboration for peace and shared prosperity.

“It is imperative that we come together—stakeholders from all sectors—to forge coordinated efforts that will tackle these issues head-on. We must emphasize the importance of partnerships to ensure the sustainability of the projects and programs we develop.

“By fostering synergy among all stakeholders, we can create a robust framework that encourages growth, equity, and resilience in our Niger Delta communities,” he said.