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PIA: NUPRC inaugurates forum for host communities
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has inaugurated the Host Community Development and Administration Trust Board of Trustees (BOT) Forum.
The exercise held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja and was witnessed by top management staff of the Commission, Host Community leaders, settlors and stakeholders.
The Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, who inaugurated the forum, said it became imperative because there was the need for not just a one-stop-shop for resolving host communities’ issues but a vehicle that would enable the smooth administration of the host community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
He said it was another initiative of the Commission that would add value to the successes recorded in the host Community provisions in the Act.
Engr. Komolafe said in compliance with Sections 232 and 235 of the PIA, which provides for implementing the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), NUPRC has incorporated one hundred and three (103) Trusts.
“This is because of the Commission’s priority on social inclusion, which is one of the key objectives of the Host Comm provisions under the PIA, with the belief that social inclusion is and will be the recipe for peace and harmony that will enhance the operations of the oil industry,” he added.
Given the realisation that a peaceful and harmonious operating environment can enhance production in the host communities, the CCE said the Commission focused attention on developing host community regulations, among other key regulations the Commission has so far handled. It was also the reason why the Commission brought up the HDCT Board of Trustees so that there could be, aside from other benefits, a Rule of Uniform Application as part of the developmental objectives provided under the PIA, 2021.
Engr. Komolafe pointed out that from the outset, the Commission had decided to implement the HostCom provisions transparently. For efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme’s implementation, the Commission partnered with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to develop a transparent real-time digital portal/reporting system, known as HOSTCOMPLY, where administration of the scheme will be reported. The HOSTCOMPLY portal is a comprehensive solution designed to facilitate compliance with the Host Communities Development provisions of the Act, which functions include the incorporation application process, request for approvals, submission of reports and project monitoring.
Having learned from past attempts to implement this type of scheme in the country, the key objective of this vital scheme is transparent implementation using a digital approach, Engr. Komolafe added.
For a seamless implementation and achievement of the intended objective, the Commission intends to ensure capacity building for BOT members to enable proper understanding and implementation of this initiative. By the time the scheme is fully implemented, all stakeholders should be able to follow progress most transparently.
To drive the transparency objective, the Commission invited the OEM development expert who designed the digital portal, Prof. Magnus Kpakol, Executive Chairman of the Economic Growth and Development Centre, to share his knowledge and expertise with the board members in a manner that would ensure that the provision for HostCom in the PIA is effectively realised.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC), Captain John Roland Tonlagha, said that the forum is a platform for engagement between BOT, settlors and host communities.
He explained that the forum enhances accountability and transparency since effective development requires careful planning and strategic decision-making.
“The forum also serves as a space where stakeholders collectively access the operationalisation of the Host Community Development Trust. So, through informed discussions and exchange of ideas, the BOT can make decisions that align with the goal and aspiration of the PIA for the Host Community Development Trust.
He hoped that the Trust would operate within the ambits of the law and, through constructive dialogue facilitated by the HCDT Forum, deliver tangible results to the communities it serves.
The acting Director of Host Communities, Mrs. Ejiro Ofondu, also gave a status report on the implementation of the HCDT.
According to the report, by Thursday, February 22, 2024, thirty-five (35) settlors had sent their applications to the Commission for the incorporation of HCDT. One hundred and sixty (160) of such applications have been received and attended to, while (one hundred and eleven (111) have been approved to be incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Out of the one hundred and eleven (111), one hundred and three (103) have completed the entire process and have been fully incorporated. Fifty-two (52) have so far been funded. Currently, forty-three (43) applications are still in the pipeline; some are under review, and some are under litigation.
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has set up a committee to work out modalities for implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service.
The committee is headed by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei.
Other members included the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, his Labour, Productivity and Employment counterpart, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Peter Akpe.
The committee has the end of May 2024 to submit its report.
Diri made the pronouncement on Wednesday at the 2024 Workers Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.
The governor assured that his administration would implement a new minimum wage once the committee submitted its report, adding that the state workers always have emoluments as their federal counterparts.
Diri stressed that the welfare of workers had always been a top priority of his administration as attested to by the numerous worker-friendly policies he initiated.
He equally promised to commence the building of a new befitting secretariat complex for civil servants to accommodate the increasing workforce.
The state’s helmsman, who described workers as the backbone of development in society, attributed the achievements in his first tenure to the support and contributions of civil servants.
He called for continuous harmonious working relationship with his government in order to bequeath lasting legacies.
The Bayelsa helmsman also approved an annual step increment for civil servants, release of funds for completion of the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“The committee is to immediately look into what the Federal Government has done on the proposed minimum wage and see the possibility of domesticating it in Bayelsa.
“It is given until the end of May to submit its report.
“My dear workers of Bayelsa, you have done so well. You know that you are the engine room of this government. We have succeeded because you have done so well. We receive commendations everywhere we go.
“In terms of infrastructure, human capacity building and other sectors, we have done well. I say you should continue to keep it up.”
According to him, together, we are building a Bayelsa of our dreams, a beacon of hope, a model of progress and a testament to our unity of purpose.
“The tangible evidence of these fruitful collaborations is that abundantly, we have made it clear for all to see in the plethora of transformative legacy projects that now span the length and breadth of our state, touching the lives of all Bayelsa people.
“Let us continue to work together so that the future of our state will be established.
“Beyond the ongoing renovation, we will look at the option of building a new state-of-the-art secretariat complex to accommodate the expanding workforce,” he said.
Earlier, the workers eulogised the governor for his labour-friendly policies that had improved their working condition.
In a joint address by the chairman of the NLC, Comrade Barnabas Simon, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Laye Julius, the workers specifically thanked the governor for approving payment of wage award to all categories of workers in Bayelsa.
“We thank you for the regular conduct of promotion exercises and implementation, prompt payment of salaries of workers and pensioners, among others.
“Organised labour in Bayelsa is most sincerely grateful for your kind and favourable disposition to the needs and aspirations of workers in the state.
“Your open-door policies and swift response to most of our demands in the last four years is highly appreciated,” they said.
They, however, appealed for an upward review of the wage award, improved transportation system for workers, and mapping out of acquired lands for civil servants.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has said the Group Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Landmark Group, Paul Onwuanibe, cannot claim compensation from the Federal Government in connection with the demolition of structures for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Federal Government is currently demolishing properties along the shoreline to create a pathway for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Landmark Group, owners of the Landmark beach in Lagos State, is believed to be one of the organisations that will be highly affected by the demolition.
However, Umahi has insisted that infrastructures belonging to Landmark were spared, hence the owner can’t make claims on the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists, the minister said the beach was on the right of way and shoreline.
He said: “No claim for Landmark, we spared all his infrastructure, we don’t pay for the demolition of shanties because it is on our right-of-way, 15 meters from the shoreline, so he has no claim.
“We made all efforts to spare his infrastructure. The Landmark owner is acting like a politician, me I’m an engineer.
“While he does all the politics, I am an engineer, I’ll do the engineering work. I don’t know the attention he is seeking.”
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