Julius OkorieA two day roundtable discussion aimed at exploring the full benefit of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Gender Equality and social inclusion as well as Community Needs Assessment ends October 18, ( today), in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The round table discussion, which has stakeholders from far and near in attendance, is being organised by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre in conjunction with Ford Foundation. The event is further aimed at giving members of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in-depth knowledge of the3% operating cost, disbursements and implementation and to also promote gender equality and social inclusion within the HCDT.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOver the years, cat and dog relationship had existed between oil companies and host communities leading to wanton destruction of lives and property, leaving the environment in ruins. But with the coming on stream of Community Development Trust, a better platform for ensuring positive relationships between oil and gas companies and host communities has been created.
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Suffice to add that this has reduced to the barest minimum the incessant clashes within the region.
Speaking at the event on Thursday; Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, encouraged stakeholders to harness these benefits in the spirit of community alliance.
She stated that “Understanding the PIA and the Host Community Development scheme should create opportunities for local communities to participate in the oil governance process and ensure they benefit from it, by ensuring that projects executed improves the quality of life for the community members”
Okon further assert that even as there are concerns that the 3% allocation for host community development may be insufficient, however, it is important to acknowledge that the PIA is a new law, and focus should be on effective implementation, rather than arguments. While emphasising the role of civil society organisations is to facilitate cooperation between host communities, oil and gas companies, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to ensure the 3% is utilised for the benefit of the people.”
Research fellow and lecturer at the Department of Political Science Niger Delta University Dr Tubodenyefa Zibima in his contribution, urged members of the HCDT to have a plan B, that is ,to priotise on-ground Needs Assessment for community development and the proper utilisation of the 3% fund as the funding might not be everlasting.
“Community needs assessment is a veritable first step to developing our communities. The PIA acknowledges this fact and provides for it as a veritable first step to defining the functionality of the HCDT. As a working requirement for the HCDT, do we have needs assessments that are representative of the existential realities in communities?” Social and economic contexts can change as responses to emerging drivers. This means that the social, economic or environmental needs of any community can change. In this regard, needs assessment exercises must respond to this change”
Highlight of the event was the break into clusters by members of HCDT to brain storm and return with implementable action for their communities.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
