PIA: Push for Kingdom, ethnic recognition collapses as contending parties settle for host communities as anchor of HCDTs in Itsekiri Nation

The controversial push for the recognition, cum naming of Host Community Development Trusts, HCDTs, with the title of kingdom or ethnic nationality as it affects Itsekiri Nation in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, seemingly collapsed yesterday, Tuesday January 16, as the hitherto contending parties; Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, representatives of the Palace of the Olu of Warri, such as Chief Omolubi Newuwumi and Augustine Oboroegbeyi, Esq., as well as leaders of Chevron and Shell Itsekiri Host Communities, settled for host communities as anchor of HCDTs in Iwere Nation.

Fresh Angle International can report that the resolution, which would see the composition and inauguration of separate Host Community Development Trusts for Chevron Host Communities of Ugborodo /Deghele/Ugboegungun in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Omadino in Warri South Local Government Area and Olero/Dibi Fields in Warri North Local Government Area, all in Delta State, was the major thrust of a tripartite meeting convened, at the Abuja Office of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

This Flagship Niger Delta Online Newspaper, understands that the meeting which was presided over by the Director In-Charge of Host Communities, NUPRC, John Tonlagha on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, gave the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited as well as their counterpart in Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, end of this month (January) to conclude engagement with leadership of the host communities and come up with the membership of the Host Community Development Trusts, HCDTs, for subsequent inauguration and eventual implementation of the PIA in Itsekiri Host Communities.

The Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Field Operations, CNL, Momodu Rilwanu, represented Chevron Nigeria Limited at yesterday’s meeting.

Recall that at the end of a two-day meeting held sometime last year in Abuja, the NUPRC had directed Chevron Nigeria Limited and SPDC, to adopt suitable names for the HCDTs in consultation with the host communities and expand the proposed membership of the HCDT Board of Trustees from five (5) to nine (9).

The NUPRC in its written verdict to the Settlors and host communities, which was dated September 5 and 6, 2023, respectively, gave two weeks deadline, for the implementation of its verdict. The deadline expired September 20, 2023 and was further extended to December 31, 2023, after pleas by the Settlors.

A leader in Ugborodo Community, Comrade Alex Eyengho, who was at the meeting in Abuja, Tuesday January 16, in a social media post last night, stated inter-alia: “Former Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Trust (UCT), Augustine Oboroegbeyi, Esq., has opted out of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) put together in the Palace of the Olu of Warri, which he had vigorously supported before now. 

“At a tripartite meeting held in Abuja today, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, between Chevron, host communities (Ugborodo Community, Deghele Community, Ugbegugun Community, Olero field Communities, Dibi field Communities) and presided over by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to resolve the lingering issue of non-implementation and operationalization of the PIA in Itsekiri land, Oboroegbeyi changed his hitherto loyalty to the Olu’s Palace on the matter and opted for the decentralisation of the HCDTs in Itsekiri land in the overall interest and benefits of the host communities.

“It is instructive to note that the issue of decentralisation has been central to the agitations of those opposed to the Palace HCDTs for Chevron and Shell.”

×