Energia, Oando Sign MoU With Seven Delta Host Communities

Energia Limited and its joint venture partner, Oando Plc, have inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Ndokwa West-1 Host Community Development Trust and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven host communities in Delta State in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The inauguration, held recently in Asaba, brought together representatives of the Delta State Government, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), traditional rulers, community leaders, members of the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.

Representing the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Christopher Osakwe, commended Energia and the host communities for establishing the trust and signing the MoU. He said the initiative reflects a strong commitment to partnership and sustainable development and urged the newly inaugurated board to carry out its responsibilities with transparency, accountability and fairness.
Osakwe also called on host communities to continue protecting oil and gas infrastructure and embrace dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Energia Limited, Oladimeji Bashorun, described the inauguration as “the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Energia and our host communities,” built on partnership, shared responsibility and sustainable development.
He noted that although the Petroleum Industry Act provides a framework for host community development, Energia had maintained a strong relationship with its host communities long before the legislation came into effect.

“Communities that host our operations should also share meaningfully in the opportunities created by those operations. Our success has always been closely connected to the success of our host communities,” Bashorun said.

He revealed that Energia has invested more than ₦15.94 billion in community development projects since it achieved first oil in 2009.

According to him, the investments span road construction, drainage systems, healthcare facilities, educational programmes, scholarships, youth empowerment, solar-powered street lighting, community welfare initiatives and other social intervention projects across its host communities.

Bashorun added that the company also commits three per cent of its annual gross revenue to support sustainable development initiatives in host communities, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Also speaking, the Asset Manager of Oando, Seyi Fawora, reaffirmed the joint venture’s commitment to the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust, stressing that the partnership remains focused on strengthening its relationship with host communities.

The representative of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Dennis Eyitemi, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in promoting host community participation in development.

Delivering an overview of the Host Community Development Trust framework, the Delta State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Irebe (SAN), commended Energia for exceeding the statutory requirements of the Petroleum Industry Act through its sustained investments in community development.

The event concluded with the swearing-in of members of the Ndokwa West-1 Host Community Development Trust Board of Trustees.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Godwin Edeme, pledged the board’s commitment to working with Energia Limited, Oando Petroleum Development Company and other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the trust for the benefit of present and future generations.