Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a significant step towards harnessing the benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, Krakama community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, has inaugurated the management committee for its Host Community Development Trustfund, HCDT in OML18.
OML18 which holds about 1.5billion barrels of oil equivalent, formerly operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Limited, is now owned by Bilton Energy, 2 percent; Midwestern Oil, 16 percent; NNPCL, 55 percent; Asharami Energy 16 percent and San Leon Energy 11 percent.
Until its divestment to Eroton in 2015 for the sum of $737million by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, the swamp onshore oil block located South of Port Harcourt has ten oil fields, the largest being Cawthorne Channel, Buguma Creek, Orubiri, Akaso, Alakiri, Awoba and Krakama fields.
The inauguration, which took place in Port Harcourt, was performed by the Board’s Chairman, Ibinabo Warmate, who administered the oath of office to the nine-man committee comprising three executive members and six non-executive members.
Warmate presented the PIA regulations, the Krakama Community Need Assessment Plan, and the Krakama community constitution to the committee, emphasizing the significance of the inauguration in ensuring compliance with the PIA provisions.
He noted that the move aimed to work harmoniously with the operator to achieve the PIA objectives, including preventing oil theft and vandalism.
Warmate, who expressed optimism about the future, citing employment opportunities for youths as a key expectation from the committee, urges the inaugurated Management Committee to immediately set the stage for the Advisory Committee’s subsequent inauguration within 30 days just as stipulated in the PIA.
Earlier, Simeipiri Paul, Secretary of the Management Committee, expressed joy and pride at this achievement, stating that the committee’s inauguration represents a new trajectory for host communities and oil companies to work together in a transparent and accountable manner.
According to Paul, the committee’s profound responsibility is to manage the relationship between the host community and settlors, ensuring that the community benefits from its oil resources.
He said, “This is a new era of transparency and accountability promises to bring about positive change, ending the previous lack of clear guidelines and opaque practices that characterized the industry.”
Also, the Community Surveillance Contractor, Ginah Jabin, assured the community, the country, and NNPCL of 100 percent protection of the oil wells and pipeline in the area, just as he expressed confidence in his ability to prevent vandalism and ensure the safety of the facilities.
Jabin highlighted his extensive knowledge of the creeks and swamps, gained from 18 years of fishing in the area. “I know the area like the back of my hand,” he emphasized.
Also, he expressed his willingness to collaborate with existing contractors, including the Navy, Army, Police, and other armed personnel, to achieve their goals and prevent vandalism.
