The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has pledged its commitment to ensure that the Host Community Development Trust framework is implemented.
The NMDPRA Authority chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar made this known at a stakeholder’s sensitization and engagement forum in Port Harcourt to sensitise stakeholders on the legal and regulatory framework of the Midstream Host Communities Development.
The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 was enacted by the Federal Government to provide a legal, institutional and operational framework for the development of the midstream petroleum host communities.
This gave birth to the Midstream Host Communities Development Trust, MHCDT, which is designed to make the Authority’s interface with the host communities seamlessly.
At the stakeholder’s sensitization workshop in Port Harcourt, NMDPRA Authority Chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar represented by the Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment, and Community, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, said the HCDT framework is to ensure that communities directly become beneficiaries of the social and economic development occasioned by petroleum operations
While stating that the framework will promote peaceful coexistence, create shared prosperity and deepen inclusion and participation, Dr. Lamorde explained that the regulations clearly defines the responsibilities of licensees, governance structure of the Trusts and the management of the 3% annual contribution amongst others.
In his submission, the Chairman House Committee on Host Communities, Dum Dekor said the PIA has changed the approach to host community development, as it moves the system away from informal arrangements and occasional corporate social responsibility projects to a structured legal framework.
Earlier in an address, NMDPRA Director Environment Management and Host Community, Anne Omezi said the workshop was to build bridges of understanding, foster collaboration and establish a shared vision for community development.
In attendance at the workshop were members of the host community development trust and traditional rulers.
