The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has unveiled a digital portal to strengthen transparency, accountability and regulatory oversight in the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The Authority unveiled this at a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the HCDT framework and operationalisation of the HCDT Digital Portal held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking on behalf of the Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Rabiu Umar, the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC), Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, explained that the digital platform would support the registration of Host Community Development Trusts, project tracking, compliance reporting, monitoring of statutory contributions and real-time regulatory oversight.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the HCDT framework moves from policy discussions to practical implementation capable of delivering measurable benefits to host communities.
The workshop was organised to provide clarity on the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts, governance responsibilities of Trustees and Management Committees, obligations of operators and licensees, administration of the Trust Fund, compliance and reporting requirements, as well as grievance resolution mechanisms under the regulations.
He implored operators in the sector to comply with the mandatory three per cent annual contribution requirement stipulated under the PIA to guarantee sustainable development in oil and gas host communities.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Dumnamene Dekor, commended NMDPRA for organising the sensitisation programme.
He said midstream petroleum operations, including pipelines, depots, terminals, processing facilities and transportation infrastructure, remain critical to Nigeria’s energy security, stressing that host communities must enjoy practical and lasting benefits from such operations.
He also urged host communities to embrace unity, accountability and constructive engagement while safeguarding petroleum infrastructure located within their areas.
The Director of Environmental Sustainability and Host Community at NMDPRA, Mrs. Anne Omezi, said the stakeholder engagement would deepen transparency, collaboration and sustainable development across host communities in the midstream oil and gas sector.
She said: “We are here to build bridges of understanding, foster collaboration and establish a shared vision for community development.”