PIA: Oriental Energy Inaugurates Mbo, Effiat HCDT Board of Trustees
Oriental Energy Resources Limited, an oil and gas exploration and production company, has inaugurated the Board of Trustees for the Mbo and Effiat Host Community Development Trust.
The inauguration, which held on Wednesday, May 22 at Monty Suites, Uyo, was conducted in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and observed by members of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The board, which is saddled with the objectives of raising finance and executing projects for the benefit and sustainable development of the host communities, comprises eight members drawn from Enwang, Mbo, Uda, Udesi, and Ebughu communities.
Other objectives are; to advance and propagate educational development for the benefit of members of the host communities, support healthcare development for the host communities, well as protection of the environment, support local initiatives within the host communities which seek to enhance security as invest part of available funds for and on behalf of the host communities, and assist in any other developmental purpose deemed beneficial to the host communities as may be determined by the Board of Trustees.
The members are: Barr. Inam Effiong Okon, Chairman; Engr. Okpo Etim Etim; Dr. Ikwo Agamtem Ekuma; Barr. Asuquo Asuquo; Mr. Edet Asukwo Inyang; Mrs. Alice-Joe Henry; CSP Etim Sam (Rtd); and Mr. Kedrick Solomon Isangedighi.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Managing Director of Oriental Energy, Mr. Mutafa Indimi, hinted that since the establishment of the company in Akwa Ibom State, they have taken a deliberate and long-term approach to supporting communities that host them.
Indimi, who was represented by Mr. Kazeem Koleoso, the Head of External Affairs, revealed that the company has facilitated life-changing initiatives such as medical outreach for over 20,000 indigenes of the area, payment of tertiary fees for 2,000 undergraduates, completion and equipping of a printing and reprographic facility at Enwang to Mbo Youth Empowerment Foundation, and completion of an ultra-modern science laboratory complex for biology, chemistry, and physics for Community Grammar School, Ebughu, among others.
Indimi also disclosed that Oriental Energy trained and sponsored the training of 15 youth in welding and fabrication technology in 2022 and completed and handed over a primary school building at Ibuot Utan village to the community.
Offering insight into the process of establishing the Effiat and Mbo HCDT, Indimi said, “The process of establishing the Effiat and Mbo Host Community Development Trust has been transparent, inclusive, and participatory. From the onset, we defined our host communities as Effiat (the primary community), Uda, Udesi, Ebughu, and Enwang communities in Mbo LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
In consultation and collaboration with these communities, we have prepared the HCDT plan for the Trust in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.”
Speaking on the plan for the Trust, Indimi noted that the plan involves primary, secondary, and tertiary education, basic utilities including water, electricity, and shelter, access to healthcare, infrastructure development including roads, social environmental, and economic needs of the communities.
While committing the resolve of the company to work together with the leadership of the Trust and the enlarged communities to foster prosperity, Indimi charged the leadership to adhere strictly to the HCDT Plan, Operating Manual, and Code of Conduct to guide sustainable development.
On his part, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who congratulated the communities for the successful implementation of the HCDT, noted that the Commission is delighted to witness the implementation of several sections of Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA 2020.
Komolafe noted that “the NUPRC, in line with global best practices, and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed robust implementation strategies for the Trust to positively impact against restiveness amongst the host communities and guarantee seamless prosperity.”
He explained that to successfully implement the HCDT Plan, Oriental Energy is expected to provide all necessary assistance and guidance, and requisite training for the members of the Board of Trustees to enable them to efficiently discharge their responsibilities as host communities.
“It is also incumbent on the Board of Trustees to immediately start making plans for the selection of suitably qualified professionals for the setting up of the Management Committee for Effiat and Mbo Community Development Trust, as enshrined in Section 247 of the PIA.
The Management Committee shall, in turn, set up the Advisory Committee, which is the third and final layer of the administrative structure, for the host Community Development Trust, as specified in the PIA,” he added.
Harping on the Ministry’s commitment to create a robust relationship for the actualization of the HCDT, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Uno Etim Uno, noted that his ministry is poised to partner and work with various organs of the HCDTs and form collaboration with settlers to ensure effective management of funds.
Uno, represented by the Head of Petroleum, Engr. Anietie Emah, commended Oriental Energy for its expertise in fostering a strong relationship with its host community. He noted that this has led to the selection of individuals with proven integrity who will collaborate with the state government to enhance infrastructural development through sustainable projects that benefit the community.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inauguration, Chairman of the Effiat and Mbo HCDT, Barr. Inam Effiong Okon, stated that the inauguration is an answered prayer for the community, which has been neglected and deprived of basic amenities for a long time.
While acknowledging that the 3% allocation to the community may not be sufficient to address the pressing environmental issues facing the communities, Effiong assured that the board will do their best to prioritize health, education, and clean water from the trust fund.
In their separate goodwill messages, Paramount Ruler of Mbo, Ovong Ita Okon Otong, Mbo Transition Chairman, Mbo Traditional Rulers Council, and Effiat Clan Council of Chiefs, expressed satisfaction at the inauguration and solicited the board to make good use of the platform to develop the area.
Highpoint of the inauguration was the administration of oath to BoT and official presentation of documentation packs containing Constitution, HCDT Plan, Code of Conduct and Operating Manual by Oriental to the community.
The event had in attendance representatives of the different villages, traditional rulers, youth, women and stakeholders.