By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

YENAGOA: The KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (KHCDT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) to strengthen institutional capacity and promote sustainable, community-led development across its host communities.

The partnership is aimed at combining KHCDT’s knowledge of its communities with PIND’s technical expertise, development experience and network of partners to translate community priorities into sustainable social and economic development initiatives.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, HRH Theophilus Moses, described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening the Trust’s capacity to fulfil its mandate.

He said the Trust would work with PIND to build capacity, develop collaborative community programmes and benefit from the organisation’s experience.

“We intend to engage with PIND to strengthen our capacity, build collaborative community development programmes and learn from their experience. We want them to direct us aright,” he said.

Moses acknowledged PIND’s contributions to development in the Niger Delta and expressed confidence that the partnership would improve programme design and implementation while creating broader opportunities for the host communities.

He said KHCDT also planned to draw on relevant development experiences and networks within and outside Nigeria, adapting practical approaches to the needs of its communities.

Under the MoU, KHCDT and PIND will explore collaboration in technical and vocational training linked to employment and entrepreneurship, clean-energy solutions for households and businesses, as well as knowledge-sharing among Host Community Development Trusts.

The partnership will also support documentation of lessons learned and the use of evidence to guide future development initiatives.

While KHCDT will lead the identification of community priorities, stakeholder engagement and community ownership, PIND will provide technical advice, programme design support and access to its partner networks.

Also speaking at the ceremony, PIND Executive Director, Sam Ogbemi Daibo, said development investments should reflect the priorities of host communities and create sustainable opportunities.

“Host communities need development investments that respond to their priorities and create opportunities that last,” Daibo said.

He added that combining KHCDT’s community knowledge with PIND’s technical experience and partner networks would help develop practical approaches to employment, enterprise and energy access, while enabling the organisations to share successful approaches with other trusts.

Since commencing operations in July 2024, KHCDT said it had completed 20 infrastructure projects across its host communities and initiated processes for 11 additional projects scheduled for 2026.

The partnership with PIND builds on the Trust’s development activities and complements support from its settlor, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), and technical consultant, Rex and Rhema Consulting Limited.

Established under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, KHCDT serves 11 host communities: Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Foropa, Fishtown, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu-Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu and Oginibiri.

The Trust is the Host Community Development Trust of the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P Joint Venture, operator of PML 53 and 54.