The Federal Government has given an assurance of its readiness to ensure all-round development of oil-producing communities as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Mr Olusegun Ogunnubi, the Head, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Warri Regional Office, gave the assurance in Warri, Delta.
Ogunnubi said that the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Fund created by the PIA gave the commission the statutory obligation of ensuring funding of development initiatives in host communities.
“Through the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) fund, NUPRC will continue to ensure compliance from the settlers as regards their statutory responsibilities towards the concerned communities,” he said.
He said three per cent of their operating expenditure would be used to develop the communities.
The NUPRC regional head said that if the concerned communities could not form a Trust Fund, the bulk of the funds would be used to develop projects defined by the communities.
He commended the stakeholders and communities in the state for their cooperation with the commission and called for more support from the people of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
Ogunnubi said that the smooth-running of the Escravos operations must be ensured.
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, had earlier at a forum pledged his readiness to always support the leadership of NUPRC.
He spoke while playing host to Ogunnubi and his team in his palace at Warri
The traditional ruler urged the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, and his team to tackle the challenges facing host.
He also called for transparency in the commission’s engagements with the host communities and other stakeholders.
The Olu of Warri expressed optimism that the NUPRC Warri Regional Office would succeed in its assignment.
He urged the commission to organise an enlarged forum of relevant stakeholders and the host communities for a felt-needs assessment.
In the delegation led by Ogunnubi were Dr David Michaels, Mr Tom Senibo, Head of Development and Dr Muhammed laminga, Head of Gas Production.
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