State Government in the Niger Delta region have been urged to release part of the 13% derivation fund from the federal government into the Host Communities Development Board of Trustees, HCDTS to propel more development in the oil and gas producing communities.
The National President of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, His Highness, Dr Benjamin Style-Tamaranebi, made the call at a town hall engagement with HCDTS and Settlors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Forum created an avenue for Stakeholders to interface with members of the Host Communities on the need for them to be sensitized about the PIA laws and to follow them squarely so as to bring about the needed development in their areas
The National President of host communities of Nigeria producing oil and gas emphasized that the 13% derivation fund is key and paramount to the Host Communities stating that the 3% PIA fund was already promoting development across the benefited communities.
“Remember we have 13% derivation funds coming to the communities. That fund was not left for only the state governments, but for the development of host communities.
“The government has politicised the fund without recourse to the real host communities that produce oil and gas. That was the core reason why we started out to fight. Remember through our fight we have the NDDC, through our fight amnesty came on board for our youths.
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“Now we are looking forward for the state governments to do the same on the 13% derivation. The 13% derivation is key and paramount to the lives of host communities. Now that the PIA is on board, we call on the state governments to respectfully release part of the 13% derivation to the Trust to complement the Trust so that we can work together” he explained.
The HostCom National President lamented that litigations of who should be at the various leadership positions of the board of trustees have hampared development projects from the 3% PIA, saying Such things will not bring community growth or development in their domains.
In her Keynote address, the Chief Executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, represented by an assistant director in the commission, Mr. Success Ikpe, described the enactment of the PIA as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“The success of HCDTs requires collective commitment from all stakeholders -government, traditional rulers, oil companies, and the communities themselves. The NUPRC remains dedicated to regulatory oversight, policy support, and technical assistance to ensure host communities thrive alongside the petroleum industry” she noted.
Some members of the Host Communities who expressed their grievances said they are yet to benefit from the PIA since inception and appealed to the Government and relevant authorities to intervene in the matter.
