The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law on August 16, 2021, mandates oil and gas companies, termed ‘Settlors’, to establish Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDT) to enhance the management of their host communities. To strengthen the capacities of HCDT members in meeting the PIA requirements, New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) organized and facilitated a series of retreats and training workshops on project management.
A three-day retreat was held for Ikuru HCDT between January 22 and 24, 2024, followed by another session from January 25-27, 2024, for Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama, and Asukoyet HCDT. The retreats aimed to establish a strategic vision for HCDTs and their communities, review the achievements of the HCDTs in 2023, clarify HCDT objectives and operations, present the 2024 activities and administrative budget, define the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and HCDT Committee members, and foster a common understanding of the community-driven development process.
The workshops covered various topics, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), funding and fund management, ethical conduct, confidentiality policies, and project management techniques. Participants also engaged in developing vision statements for their HCDTs using the Compass of Local Competitiveness Tool, which aims to guide future community development efforts.
Additionally, a one-day training session on project management introduced members to project life cycles, management processes, planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and leadership roles. These initiatives were designed to promote effective operations, team bonding, and drive sustainable development outcomes within the communities.
