CHHELD attends one-day Sensitization and Awareness Campaign for Rivers East and Rivers South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State, organized by NUPRC

The sensitization and awareness campaign for Rivers East and Rivers South-East Senatorial district of Rivers State organize by the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt on the 8th day of August, 2023. The event had members from oil and gas rich communities in the Rivers East and South-East Senatorial District, government officials, traditional rulers, the academia, CSOs and media. The awareness campaign was aimed at enlightening host community members on the 3% Operating Expense (OpEx), Sustainable development plan and the Participatory rights as contained in the petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

 

 

The program began with introductions of special guests and the co-convener, High Chief (Dr.) George I.O Buckor gave his welcome address. He welcomed all attendees to the program and stated the objectives of the program. He stated that the oil-and-gas-rich communities in Rivers State will take back their pride of place by knowing their sustainability development plan and their participatory right in the oil and gas industry.  He stated the program will enlighten members of host communities to know their rights as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Co-convener of the program, High Chief (Dr.) George I.O Buckor giving his welcome address

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, GCCRS represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Youth Development, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali. The Governor expressed appreciation to the NUPRC for deeming it fit for organizing the event, he called for the NUPRC to uphold the law according to the PIA with regards to host communities that will bring about development. He urged the oil multinationals to be compliant to the law according to the PIA, he also pointed out that state government shall intervene in cases of default in the tenets of the PIA. He called upon the men, women and youths in host communities to be law-abiding in course of engaging with oil and gas companies. The Governor called on Traditional Rulers of host communities to be transparent and ensure social and human capital development is brought to the community through the 3% OpEx.

 

 

Co-convener of the program, High Chief (Dr.) George I.O Buckor gave a book presentation on Synopsis of Operative Norms in the Oil and Gas Industry. He stated that the book is a guide to traditional rulers, CSOs and members of host communities to understand the duties and expectations of the oil and gas companies operating in host communities. Participants were guided on ways communities can set up Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) and to know their duties. The HCDTF will positively impact on the wellbeing of petroleum host communities, arrest their restiveness, guarantee seamless operations of upstream oil and gas operators, boost investor confidence and provide an enabling environment for sustainable development of the country’s hydrocarbon resources. Facilitators called for the formulation od Board of Trustees. In his goodwill message, Alabo Festus Fyneface mentioned that the essence of the PIA is to bridge the gap between host communities and International Oil Companies (IOC) where will bring out reduced insecurity, destruction of facilities, reduction of oil theft, youth restiveness, etc. He opined that the HCDTF should be able to have about 75% of their allocated funds to projects in the host communities and not more than 10% should be kept aside for administrative cost of the Board of Trustee (BoT). He called for the government to provide an enabling environment for oil companies and operators should be allowed to carry out their duties with minimal government interference; and the funds given to host communities should be well managed to address the needs and problems of the people.

Speech delivered by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara GCCRS represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Youth Development, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali

The program came to a close with a question-and-answer session. Participants were given the opportunity ask questions and share their concerns about on Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the formulation of Board of Trustee (BoT) for the host communities, etc. 

Cross Section of participants
CHHELD Program officer, David Prince at the event.

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