ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited (AGPC) has inaugurated the Board of Trustees of its Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), paving the way for a more structured and sustainable approach to development in its host and impacted communities.
The three-day inauguration and onboarding workshop, held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together members of the newly inaugurated Board, regulators, AGPC management and other stakeholders for orientation on the Trust’s mandate, governance structure and responsibilities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
AGPC Managing Director, James Makinde, described the inauguration as an important milestone in the company’s relationship with its host communities.
Makinde, who was represented by the company’s General Manager, Technical, Engr Amaechi Nwogbe, reaffirmed AGPC’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and sustainable community development.
He also acknowledged the cooperation and support of communities within the company’s area of operations, while charging the new Board to justify the confidence placed in its members through transparency, accountability, fairness and prudent management of the Trust’s resources.
The Managing Director urged the Board to prioritise projects based on genuine community needs and capable of delivering sustainable and measurable benefits.
He identified livelihoods, education, healthcare, skills development and economic empowerment as key areas requiring attention, while stressing the importance of community ownership and proper maintenance of completed projects.
Makinde also called for inclusive participation in the Trust’s activities, particularly in addressing the needs of young people, women and vulnerable groups.
He urged the Board and other stakeholders to sustain dialogue and adopt peaceful approaches to resolving disputes.
The AGPC chief executive assured the Board of the company’s support within its responsibilities and encouraged it to serve as an effective link between the company and the communities.
He said a functional relationship between the Trust, AGPC and the host communities would help strengthen trust, cooperation and sustainable development.
Speaking during the sensitisation session, Deputy Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ngozi Asogwa, said the programme provided participants with a clearer understanding of the HCDT governance framework established under the PIA.
Asogwa explained that the framework sets out the respective responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, management and advisory committees in administering the Trust.
She reminded the Board of its responsibility to provide effective oversight, identify community development priorities, formulate and implement development plans, approve eligible projects and ensure that Trust resources were properly deployed.
Participants were also briefed on the statutory funding mechanism for HCDTs, including the requirement for operators to contribute three per cent of their annual operating expenditure.
The sensitisation also covered reporting, monitoring and compliance requirements intended to promote transparency and accountability in the management of Trust resources.
The regulator assured stakeholders that NMDPRA would continue to provide oversight and support to ensure that the statutory entitlements of host communities were protected.
Communities were, meanwhile, encouraged to maintain peace and stability in their areas, with stakeholders noting that uninterrupted operations were important to sustaining the resources available for community development.
The inauguration marks a new phase in AGPC’s engagement with its host communities, with the HCDT expected to provide a formal framework for identifying priorities, funding development projects and strengthening community participation in the company’s areas of operation.
