…As KEFFESO HCDT Strengthens Governance, Inclusive Development

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

YENAGOA — First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P) has reiterated its commitment to sustained, partnership-driven development in its host communities in Bayelsa State, stressing that effective leadership and strong institutions remain critical to achieving meaningful progress.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ademola Adeyemi, made this known at the second KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Stakeholder Forum held in Yenagoa.

Adeyemi noted that while legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provides a framework for development, it is the quality of leadership, accountability, and institutional strength that ultimately determine outcomes.

“Legislation alone does not deliver development. The quality of leadership, the strength of institutions, and the depth of accountability ultimately determine outcomes,” he said.

He described the forum, themed “Strengthening Visionary Leadership, Accountability and Inclusive Growth,” as timely, given the evolving role of Host Community Development Trusts under the PIA.

Reflecting on the inaugural forum in 2025, Adeyemi said stakeholders had emphasised the need for transparent governance, inclusive decision-making, and disciplined execution of development priorities as key to the success of HCDTs.

He also commended improved inclusivity at this year’s gathering, particularly the participation of persons living with disabilities, stressing that development must go beyond representation to ensure meaningful participation of women, youths, and vulnerable groups.

“When these elements work together, communities can transition from sites of conflict to centres of innovation, enterprise, and sustainable development,” he added.

Adeyemi reaffirmed First E&P’s long-standing partnership with KEFFESO HCDT, noting that the company’s commitment extends beyond regulatory obligations to a broader responsibility to host communities.

He highlighted several social investment initiatives, including medical outreach, education support, and empowerment programmes that have impacted over 10,000 beneficiaries. He also announced new partnerships focused on cardiac care services and scholarships for students from host communities.

“Our vision is to build durable institutions that will outlive petroleum resources and continue to serve community aspirations over the long term,” he said, adding that the goal is to position KEFFESO communities as a model for community-led development under the PIA.

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said Host Community Development Trusts are now legally-backed structures designed to deliver measurable and sustainable benefits.

Represented by the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Ogbe noted that the PIA provides a transformative framework that recognises host communities as key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

“Through the PIA, HCDTs are supported by structured funding mechanisms and governance systems that promote transparency, participation, and accountability,” he said.

He urged community leaders to prioritise skills development, entrepreneurship, and local enterprise growth, aligning with Nigeria’s broader local content drive.

Earlier, the Chairman of the KEFFESO HCDT Board of Trustees, His Royal Highness Moses Theophilus, described the forum as a continuation of efforts to deepen the impact of the Trust since its maiden edition in 2025.

He acknowledged that while the PIA provides a strong foundation, gaps remain in areas such as local contracting, employment, and capacity building.

“The PIA is not a complete solution but a foundation upon which we must build through deliberate and sustained actions,” he said, emphasising the need to focus on long-term, inclusive, and sustainable development.

The royal father also commended the Federal Government and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, for their continued support, as well as the NNPC/First E&P Joint Venture for sustaining the Trust.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that strengthening institutions, enhancing accountability, and fostering inclusive participation remain essential to unlocking the full potential of host communities under the PIA framework.