A one-day town hall meeting on community investors guidelines, has ended with a call on investors to set up host community development trusts.
The meeting, organized by a Non-Governmental Organisation, took place at Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area with traditional rulers, Presidents-General, Women and Youth Leaders, as well as other stakeholders in attendance.
In his goodwill message, the Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya, stressed the need for continuous enlightenment of host communities on their rights as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act.
Barrister Ifeanya, represented by the Head, Midstream and Downstream Petroleum in the Ministry, Mr Ugonna Obiadi, announced that Anambra State will within months perform the ground breaking ceremony for the installation of gas pipeline from across River Niger into Onitsha, Nkpor, Ogidi, Awkuzu, Nawfia, Awka, Uga to Akokwa in Imo State.
While calling for development plan for Oil producing communities, structural framework for Investors and Private partnership, Barrister Ifeanya, who lauded the Non-Governmental Organisation for its invaluable support to the Petroleum producing communities which according to him, will play a pivotal role in the sustainable development of the regions, also added that it shall create jobs, enhance infrastructural development and community empowerment.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Dr Anselm Onuorah, tasked host communities on proper planning.
Dr. Onuorah implored Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to make regulations in respect of host communities on areas within their competence and jurisdiction.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said that the meeting was aimed at strengthening the negotiating power of extractive communities.
Mrs Ibezim-Ohaeri, represented by Barrister Chetachi Udeh, listed the objectives of the host community development trust to include financing and executing projects listed in the community development plan for the benefit and sustainable development of the host communities among others.
She maintained that failure by investors or miners to conclude Community Development Agreement with the host community before initiating exploration or mining activity attracts negative consequences.
Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, the traditional ruler of Mkpunando Community, Igwe Mbanefo said that every community has its own peculiar interests, needs, and expectations and understanding.
Paper presentations by resource persons, question and answer session featured at the event.
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