RMAFC Directs NUPRC To Dissolve Host Community Development Trust In 48 Hours

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission has directed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to dissolve a disputed Host Community Development Trust within 48 hours over concerns about its constitution and representation of affected oil-producing communities.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the commission on Friday and signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar-Yusuf, following an investigative hearing into the operations of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company and the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to the statement, the ultimatum was issued during the hearing of the commission’s Investment Monitoring Committee after concerns were raised over the establishment of the trust for affected host communities.

The Chairman of the RMAFC, Mohammed Shehu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to protecting the interests of oil-producing host communities, saying it would continue to strengthen the oversight of operators and institutions responsible for ensuring that communities receive benefits due to them under the law.

Shehu, who spoke at the investigative hearing held at the commission’s headquarters on Thursday, described the exercise as “an important national service and a critical national responsibility.”

He commended the committee for its diligence and urged members to remain resolute, stressing that the commission’s constitutional mandate required “firm oversight, transparency, and accountability in the management of national revenue assets.”

According to the statement, he expressed confidence that the investigation would strengthen trust in the petroleum sector and ensure that host communities received the full benefits guaranteed under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Leading the hearing, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Ekene Enefe, conducted an extensive investigation into SEEPCO’s compliance with the statutory provisions governing Host Community Development Trusts.

He maintained that host communities should no longer bear the environmental and social consequences of oil exploration without corresponding development, adding that the commission would ensure operators and regulatory institutions discharged their statutory obligations.

The committee also criticized SEEPCO for repeatedly failing to honor invitations to appear before it despite previous engagements.

Addressing officials of the NUPRC during the hearing, Enefe said the commission would hold every institution in the petroleum value chain accountable for the effective discharge of its responsibilities.

He consequently ordered the regulator to address concerns surrounding the trust established for the affected communities, declaring, “We are going to give you 48 hours to dissolve that host community development trust.”

The committee chairman also faulted SEEPCO over what he described as its failure to meet obligations owed to host communities.

“We are going to write them and we are going to give them an ultimatum to pay up what is owed the host communities,” Enefe said.