PIA: Monitor your reps to ensure accountability, host communities said
Ebenezer Adurokiya | Warri
Prior to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), host communities were urged to take their destiny into their own hands by monitoring their representatives to ensure accountability.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Mr. Tunji Idowu, gave the warning during a week-long workshop, held in Warri , in Delta State.
The workshop for host communities on the implementation of the PIA was facilitated by PIND in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.
Participants from the host communities came from five epicenter states of oil and gas extraction activities in the Niger Delta region, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo states.< /p>
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Addressing the participants, Idowu noted with joy the execution of the PIA since its promulgation on August 16, 2021 with the aim of establishing good governance, best practices and ease of doing business in the petroleum sector and gas.< /p>
He said: "In restructuring the management of host communities, Chapter 3 of the PIA mandates the establishment of the Host Community Development Fund (HCDT) to improve the quality of life of the people of the communities. and improve accountability in the management of the HCDT fund.
"Project activities include raising awareness and deepening knowledge of the technical components of the PIA among community stakeholders."
Idowu, who was represented by Advocacy Officer Chuks Oulue, called for accountability from various HCDTs.
He insisted that one of the expected gains from the PIA includes "sustainable community development, manifested by the requirement for participatory needs assessments (NAPs) and community development plans (CDPs) for ensure sustainable growth.
“Building the capacity of stakeholders will be a key element to ensure the success and longevity of the HCDT and, in particular, building the capacity of members of the HCBoT, HCMC and HCAC.
“This will allow members of the three components of the Trust to align their functions with the interests of different community stakeholders.
"Thus, it is up to the host communities to select people of integrity who will not embezzle their funds or use them for personal investments but for the benefit of the community.
“This is already happening between the oil companies and the host communities, as the accumulated funds are now placed in the HCDT to be managed by accredited representatives of the host communities themselves. The era of short-term oil companies changing host communities is over.
"This forum prepares host communities for the benefits of the PIA as communities gain the capacity and skills to be able to manage funds for their own development.
"Now is the time for host communities to take their destiny into their own hands. Now that the funds are in their hands, communities need to keep an eye on their representatives within the Trust to ensure accountability."
READ ALSO IN NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Ebenezer Adurokiya | Warri
Prior to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), host communities were urged to take their destiny into their own hands by monitoring their representatives to ensure accountability.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Mr. Tunji Idowu, gave the warning during a week-long workshop, held in Warri , in Delta State.
The workshop for host communities on the implementation of the PIA was facilitated by PIND in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.
Participants from the host communities came from five epicenter states of oil and gas extraction activities in the Niger Delta region, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo states.< /p>
Related News
Addressing the participants, Idowu noted with joy the execution of the PIA since its promulgation on August 16, 2021 with the aim of establishing good governance, best practices and ease of doing business in the petroleum sector and gas.< /p>
He said: "In restructuring the management of host communities, Chapter 3 of the PIA mandates the establishment of the Host Community Development Fund (HCDT) to improve the quality of life of the people of the communities. and improve accountability in the management of the HCDT fund.
"Project activities include raising awareness and deepening knowledge of the technical components of the PIA among community stakeholders."
Idowu, who was represented by Advocacy Officer Chuks Oulue, called for accountability from various HCDTs.
He insisted that one of the expected gains from the PIA includes "sustainable community development, manifested by the requirement for participatory needs assessments (NAPs) and community development plans (CDPs) for ensure sustainable growth.
“Building the capacity of stakeholders will be a key element to ensure the success and longevity of the HCDT and, in particular, building the capacity of members of the HCBoT, HCMC and HCAC.
“This will allow members of the three components of the Trust to align their functions with the interests of different community stakeholders.
"Thus, it is up to the host communities to select people of integrity who will not embezzle their funds or use them for personal investments but for the benefit of the community.
“This is already happening between the oil companies and the host communities, as the accumulated funds are now placed in the HCDT to be managed by accredited representatives of the host communities themselves. The era of short-term oil companies changing host communities is over.
"This forum prepares host communities for the benefits of the PIA as communities gain the capacity and skills to be able to manage funds for their own development.
"Now is the time for host communities to take their destiny into their own hands. Now that the funds are in their hands, communities need to keep an eye on their representatives within the Trust to ensure accountability."
READ ALSO IN NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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