The company has already outlined 94 empowerment projects for execution in the host communities, 24 of which are expected to be completed by the first quarter of this year.
The company said in a recent statement: “One of the cardinal principles of NPDC with regards to its host communities is meeting the primary needs of the communities through improving the wellbeing of members of the community especially, the family units; decreasing poverty levels; and enhancing the productive and income generating capacities of community members.
“The company expects the communities to protect its facilities, including flow lines and export pipelines within the community domains. A trust will be established into which the money for such protection is paid.
“As an added incentive, incident-free communities will be given bonuses, while those with security breakdown will receive fewer trust funds. Thus the community owns both its own development and will take responsibility of the protection of NPDC facilities.”
NPDC also said it would award annual scholarship to students in its areas of operations, noting that a scholarship examination was held recently at the Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State for nominated candidates.