Mr. Rabiu Umar, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), made the remark during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

The event titled, “Stakeholders Sensitisation Workshop on the Implementation of the HCDT Framework and Operationalisation of the HCDT Digital Portal,” brought together regulators, oil firms, community leaders and other stakeholders.

Represented by the Authority’s Executive Director for HSEC, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, Umar said the workshop was aimed at helping stakeholders to better understand how the trust system would work.

According to him, the PIA changed how oil companies relate with host communities by making them direct beneficiaries of development projects.

“The goal is to promote peace, reduce conflict, encourage inclusion and ensure steady development in affected communities,” he said.

He added that since the regulations were introduced, the agency had received many questions from communities, traditional rulers, civil society groups, lawmakers, operators and development partners.

Umar stressed that the success of the scheme depended on trust, transparency and cooperation among all parties.

“This workshop is organised to provide clarity on how the HCDT will be set up, duties of trustees, operators’ and licensees’ obligations, and how the funds will be managed among others,” he stated.

The NMDPRA boss also unveiled the HCDT Digital Portal, describing it as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability.

He said that the portal would handle registration of trusts, submission of documents, tracking of contributions, compliance reports and monitoring of projects.

Umar urged communities to support the scheme aimed to improve livelihoods and creating opportunities for future generations.

“Compliance with the HCDT framework is not optional, but a statutory obligation. NMDPRA will continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities to ensure proper implementation,” he warned.

He also said stable host communities would be important for energy security, economic growth and investor confidence.

Earlier, Mrs Anne Omezi, the Director of Environment Management and Host Community at NMDPRA, said the meeting was an important step toward empowering host communities through the scheme.

She said the engagement brought together all key players to ensure that the trust scheme was implemented in a fair and sustainable manner.

“The dialogue will help build understanding, strengthen cooperation and align everyone on a shared goal,” she added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Host Communities, Mr. Dum Dekor, lauded the initiative.

He said that the PIA had moved host community development from irregular corporate social responsibility to a legal obligation backed by law.

“It is important because communities hosting pipelines, terminals, depots and storage infrastructure must see practical and lasting benefits from the operators.

“The Trust will deliver real projects such as schools, hospitals, clean water, roads and skill acquisition programmes for youths and women, as well as environmental care,” he said.

Dekor urged oil companies to see compliance not just as a duty, but as a way to ensure stability and long-term business success.

He called on communities to support the process, protect oil facilities and to ensure that the benefits were shared fairly.

The lawmaker assured that the National Assembly would continue to provide oversight to ensure implementation of the PIA. (NAN)