Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Network Advancement Program For Poverty, Disaster Risk Reduction, NAPPDRR, has sensitized oil and gas host communities in Akwa Ibom State on the 3percent operating expenses accruable to host communities in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA 2021.
The sensitization which had in attendance traditional rulers, political leaders, youth and women groups, according to the Executive Director of the group, Emem Edoho, is to ensure that host communities take an active part in ensuring that the 3percent OPEX funds provided in the PIA, was executed in a transparently and accountably for the interest of the host communities.
Edoho said the group was not out to witch-hunt any oil operator, but to express their fundamental civic responsibility and core mandate in the interest and benefit of oil and gas host communities.
In his lecture, the Executive Director of Well Of Science Foundation, Elder Mfon Daniel, speaking on the ‘Imperatives For Accountability And Tracking For Community Development’, said host communities have the right to demand for the annual returns of any settlor, as well as the financial statement and project details from members of HCDT.
Daniel said failure to comply with a project specification, members of host communities should partner with the media to expose or carry out peaceful protests and report to the EFCC, where and when necessary.
“Host communities have the right to, in the light of the Freedom Of Information Act 2011, request for the annual budget, plans and roadmap of the HCDT. A plan that should capture the needs and benefits of the host communities.
“Host communities should demand the policies and projects to be implemented, settlors’ annual returns, the audited financial statement of the HCDT, project specifications, declaration of assets of members of the HCDT before and after implementation of projects, visit the Corporate Affairs Commission to ascertain ownership of companies and contractors executing the projects, visit project sites to know whether the projects are done according to specifications.”
For his part, an environmental Scientist, Dr Umana Umana, called on host communities to always ensure projects are executed in line with the needs of the community, provide a conducive environment for the settlors to thrive, facilitate economic, educational and sustainable empowerment opportunities for the communities.
Umana also called for grants to support local initiatives and quality healthcare services.
The clan head of Eket Effiong Clan, HRH Edidem Nsouduok Eteudo Ikot, who poured encomiums on an environmental justice group for hosting the town hall meeting to sensitize and educate them on the 3percent host communities’ fund in PIA, described the group as light bearers and pathfinders.
Ikot also frowned at the bureaucratic bottlenecks employed by the settlors, which he said has impeded access to the host communities’ funds since the PIA became a law.
The monarch called for the extension of the tenure of HCDT to a five-year term to enable them to execute projects to visible levels for evaluation and appreciation.
