Awka – Leaders of Host Communities of Oil and Gas production in five southern states began a two-day meeting on Friday in Awka, Anambra, on how to reduce tension in their areas following the crises between them and international oil-producing companies.
Organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, (Centre LSD) in Awka, the meeting is being attended by leaders of host communities from Anambra, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Imo states
The workshop focused on Host Communities’ Provisions in the PIA and Strategic Leadership Skills for the leaders.
Declaring the meeting open, Mr Anthony Ifeanya, the Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, indicated that the slow implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 was the main cause of the crises.
The Commissioner suggested that the full implemention of the Act would solve the problems of lack of trust, transparency, environmental degradation, oil spillage and other crises in the areas.
“Now the PIA has come into existence and it needs to be fully operational in the country.
“It is obvious that the apprehension within communities is as a result of the slow implementation of the PIA with regards to the Host Community Trust Fund.
“There is the urgent need for confidence building among oil operators, the state and the host communities which can be made possible through mutual trust and transparency as stipulated in the PIA.
“This will eventually trigger rapid infrastructural development in the host communities,” Ifeanya said.
In his presentation, Mr Itia Otabor, the Director of Strategy at Center LSD, urged leaders of host communities to be strategic in providing direction for the growth of their communities.
“If the leaders of host communities are sincere and purposeful, the 13 per cent derivation provided in the PIA is enough to transform the various areas without rancor and unnecessary protest,” he said.
Mr Monday Osasah, Executive Director, Centre LSD, said there was the need for host communities to be sensitised on their responsibilities as provided in the PIA.
“This workshop is to empower the leaders of host communities with strategic leadership skills to mobilise stakeholders and effectively engage with international oil companies and other relevant stakeholders.
“Our expectation is that the communities should understand the provisions of the law and know what to demand for, and how to manage the demands to avert crisis.
“We do not want what happened in Niger Delta to repeat itself. Therefore, there is the need for early preparation of community leaders ahead of implementation of the PIA in their zones,” he said.
The Chairman, Anambra State Civil Society Network, Mr Chris Azor, said the project was aimed at ensuring that host Communities benefited from the extractives as enshrined in the PIA.
“The Host Community Development Trust Fund investors are required to contribute three per cent of their operational expenditure which funds development projects in host communities,” he said.
On his part, Mr Vincent Dania, Programme Coordinator, Centre LSD, said the PIA brought clarity to the various issues that had posed challenges to the communities.
According to him, “the ability to understand the PIA would assist host communities to hold oil operators and government accountable.”
