Precious Anga
Lagos — The House of Representatives has warned that it may impose sanctions on stakeholders responsible for delays and poor implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), as concerns mount over the performance of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in the Niger Delta.
The warning came during a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt focused on maximising the benefits of HCDTs for oil-producing communities. Participants at the forum called for stronger oversight, greater transparency and improved accountability in the management of funds allocated under the PIA framework.
Country Director of the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Florence Ibok-Abasi, said the HCDT model had delivered positive results in some communities but required more effective monitoring to achieve its intended impact. She stressed that transparency and continuous stakeholder engagement remain critical to ensuring that host communities benefit fully from the scheme.
According to her, accountability should remain at the centre of implementation efforts, especially as Nigeria gradually shifts away from dependence on oil revenues. She noted that civil society organisations are committed to strengthening governance structures rather than undermining stakeholders involved in the process.
Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation despite the establishment and funding of about 140 trusts across the Niger Delta. He said many host communities have yet to experience the expected developmental benefits.
Dekor attributed some of the challenges to leadership disputes, internal conflicts and legal battles affecting several trusts. He disclosed that the committee would commence intensified oversight activities from July 2026 to ensure that administrators of the trusts account for funds received and projects executed.
“We will strengthen our oversight responsibilities to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act,” Dekor said, warning that the National Assembly would deploy all available legislative measures against those frustrating implementation.
The event also featured the presentation of an SDN report assessing the implementation status of Host Community Development Trusts across the Niger Delta. The study identified key achievements, governance gaps and operational challenges affecting the effectiveness of the trusts.
To enhance transparency, SDN unveiled an Independent HCDT Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Reporting and Learning Platform, a digital system designed to track projects and provide real-time information on the performance of the trusts across host communities.
