
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, operators of First EP/NNPCL JV has inaugurated the members of board of trustees for Host Communities’ Development Trust for its OML83 and OML85 host communities in Bayelsa State.
First E&P acquired OML83 and OML85 in Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State from Chevron Nigeria Limited in 2015, and the host communities are Koluama I, Koluama II, Ezetu I, Ezetu II, Foropa, Fishtown, Ekeni and Sangana, which forms the acronym KEFFES.
Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote, who witnessed the inauguration, applauded the NNPCL/First E&P JV on the achievement, which accoridng to him, was the first in Bayelsa State.
Wabote represented by the Manager, Corporate Communications, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, said the inauguration of the HCDT for KEFFES will go a long way in deepening community participation in the oil and gas industry, which he said was fundamental to the Board.
The NCDMB boss commended the Bayelsa state government for its assistance and for establishing a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for businesses to prosper, as well as for allowing the Board to carry out its regulatory tasks in the oil and gas industry.
He tasked the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees on transparency and integrity in carrying out the mission for which they were appointed, stressing on the importance of seizing the opportunity to expand KEFFES’ participation in the oil and gas business beyond projects in their communities.