As part of its commitment to transparency, accountability and regulatory efficiency, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said it has developed a dedicated Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) Digital Portal.
The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), Mr Rabiu Umar stated this yesterday, at a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on “Operationalisation of the Midstream Host Community Development Trusts,” organised by the NMDPRA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Represented by Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health Safety, Environment and Community, NMDPRA, Umar explained that the portal is designed to support, digital registration of Trusts, submission of governance documentation, monitoring of statutory contributions, compliance reporting, project tracking and real-time regulatory oversight.
He said the digital platform represents a major step in the Authority’s broader digital transformation agenda.
According to the Authority Chief, “It will help standardise implementation nationwide, reduce disputes arising from information gaps, improve monitoring capabilities, and strengthen confidence among communities and operators alike.”
Umar also explained that the portal will also improve transparency in the administration and utilisation of the Host Community Development Trust Funds.
The Authority Chief who expressed delight over the turnout at the workshop, said the engagement represents another critical milestone in the implementation of one of the most transformative provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, the framework for sustainable host community development.
He disclosed that the workshop is designed to “provide clarity on how Host Community Development Trusts are established; Governance responsibilities of Trustees and Management Committees; obligations of operators and licensees; administration of the Trust Fund; Compliance and reporting requirements; and grievance resolution mechanisms established under the Regulations.”
He noted that “For decades, host communities have remained central to the sustainability of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. The PIA therefore introduced the Host Community Development Trust framework to ensure that communities directly impacted by petroleum operations become structured beneficiaries of social and economic development.”
Noting the benefits of the PIA, Umar said that it has promoted peaceful coexistence, created shared prosperity, deepened inclusion and participation, reduced conflict and operational disruptions; and institutionalise sustainable development in host communities.
Umar added that the HCDT framework is not only about community development; but also, about national stability, investment confidence and the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s petroleum sector, assuring that the Authority remains committed to ensuring that the objectives of the PIA are fully realised in a manner that benefits:
In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, commended the NMDPRA for what he described as important forum to educate and engage the stakeholders who will drive the implementation of the host community development framework under sections 234 to 257 of the PIA.
Dekor expressed that “This forum is particularly important because it brings together the two principal groups at the centre of the framework: midstream operators and midstream host communities. Operators need clarity on their statutory obligations, while host communities need to understand their rights, their responsibilities, and the opportunities created by the Act.”
To midstream operators, the Federal lawmaker said the Trust framework should not be seen only as a compliance duty, but an investment in operational stability, community confidence, and long-term sustainability, where communities feel respected, included, and fairly treated, operators are more likely to enjoy cooperation, security, and reduced disruptions.
Also, to the host communities, Dekor said “the framework creates an organised channel for development, but it also requires unity, patience, and responsibility,” urging that communities must participate constructively, support accountability, protect petroleum infrastructure, and ensure that the benefits of the Trust serve the wider community.
In her address, Anne Omezi, Director, Environment Management & Host Community, NMDPRA, said the gathering brought together regulators, license holders, community leaders, government representatives, and partners from the private sector to engage and operationalise the Midstream Host Community Development Trusts in a way that is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable.
Omezi emphasised that “Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey to ensure that host communities are not only recognised but actively empowered through the framework provided by the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. We are here to build bridges of understanding, foster collaboration, and establish a shared vision for community development.”
Blessing Ibunge
