By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
A Non-governmental Organization, Initiative for Africa Society Inclusion and Diversity, has berated oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom for not complying with community development plans of their Host Community Development Trusts.
The Executive Director of the group, Olayinka Akeredolu-Martins, raised the concern during a one-day town hall meeting held in Uyo yesterday.
While tasking the oil companies
on effective community participation in the entire development, she emphasized the need for them to prioritize community development.
“It is unacceptable, a situation where oil companies have now made community development plan a document shrouded in secrecy.
“Regrettably, many communities have no access to it. In some cases, the supposed content of the development plan has been altered by them. Some of them now give motorcycles as development project, and N100 thousand naira bursary as against scholarship to students.
“As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to work together, as equal partners, to ensure that Host Community Development plan is implemented in a way that is fair, equitable, and beneficial to all stakeholders.
‘This will require us to be proactive, creative, and to be committed to finding solutions that work for everyone.” Akeredolu-Martins explained.
Stakeholders drawn from the various communities during the meeting warned that companies that fail to comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), regarding the setting up of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) should face sanctions.
They regretted that the issue of non-compliance with community development plans is a recurring concern in Nigeria’s oil-rich regions.
They also expressed disappointment over the absence of oil company representatives, including Universal Energy Resources Ltd, and TotalEnergies despite their earlier receipt and acknowledgement of invitations to the event.
The stakeholders lamented that host communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation and economic displacement caused by oil exploration and production activities and should therefore be held in high esteem.
The meeting was attended by representatives from host communities, government agencies, and civil society organizations.
