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How HOSTCOM devpt can become a tool for eradication of Vandalism and Crude oil theft, by Komolafe

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The Chief executive officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission Engineer Gbenga Komolafe has indicated that the development of the Host communities producing Oil and gas(HOSCM) can go a long way to eradicating vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) with the 3% equity share holding for the Host Communities had given them a sense of fufillment and contentment making them to see oil exploration activities as their own as they now guard the pipelines against vandals.

Hence Komolafe described the PIA as a lifetime strategy that promises to bring renewed hope by ushering in far-reaching reforms backed by proper implementation strategies
He spoke on the topic, Host Community Development Trust Milestones Implementation Achievments: A TOOL for possible eradication of Vandalism and Crude oil theft recently at the official commissioning of the HOSTCOM Liaison office /end of year Community sensitization on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in Abuja.
He said at the Commission they were passionate about successfully driving the implementation process. 
‘Armed with the provisions of the PIA-HCDT framework, the Commission has indeed moved ahead with the implementation of the requirements of the relevant provisions to deliver on its mandate, as seen by major and critical milestones achieved within a short timeframe. 

“The effect of these strategies, which are aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the provisions, would become obvious in the coming months.  He listed Some of the Commission’s activities to include Gazetting, and publication of the Nigeria Upstream Host Communities Development Regulation (NUHCDR, 2022), in July, 2022 after series of engagements with industry stakeholders, engaging and collaborating with relevant agencies, such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to facilitate the incorporation of the Trusts; for example, the Department of State Security (DSS), to facilitate the verification of the character and integrity of BolT members; the National Boundary Commission (NBC), to ensure the inclusion of littoral communities to a Settlor’s area of operations based on sound science, to mention just a few. 

He said they have been able to set up the Implementation team currently driving the digitization of the application process; the Host Community Development Team to handle the process of implementation and attendant fallouts; and the Compliance and Enforcement Team for HCD Implementation, to ensure strict compliance by all Settlors, and Host Communities, among others. 

He said they have also carried out

Nigerian Upstream Host Communities Development Guidelines (draft stage), application for incorporation approval templates, and the recent move from digitization to automation of the HCD implementation process. 

Approval of over fifty (50) HCDTs for incorporation, with minimal challenges from Host Communities. 

He expressed the optimism that all the efforts put out so far will lead to drastic reduction in the challenges faced in the oil and gas industry and usher in a new era of shared responsibility, shared value creation, complete revamp of the country’s economy and shared prosperity for our country and our people. 
“We at NUPRC are determined to play our role; it is a responsibility we are wholly committed to.” 
He applauded the efforts of the Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM) in its drive towards ensuring the host communities are fully involved in the actualization of the gains of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 economic benefits from petroleum operations to host communities while enhancing peaceful and harmonious coexistence between operators and their hosts. 
“Pursuant to the provisions of the PIA 2021, and in our avowed commitment to executing the prescriptions of the law, we in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have been working diligently in developing necessary Regulations aimed at giving meaning to the intent and letters of the Act. 
“We have continued to prioritize those aspects regarding the integration and well-being of host communities in our operational considerations to ensure fairness, justice. I can assure you all, of our continued commitment to drive the process to a logical conclusion. 
“Evidence of our commitment to this objective can be seen in the tremendous efforts made by the Commission within the first six months of its inception in generating ideas, formulating proposals, and engaging stakeholders towards formulating a navigational aid for the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDT), in line with the provisions of section 235 of the PIA, 2021. 
“You will recall that in the seventh month of our stewardship, (June 28: 2022 precisely) the Commission unveiled the Nigeria Upstream Host Communities Development Regulation and Procedure Guide. 
According to him, no gain saying that past efforts made by government and executed through its agencies; and the private sector through industry operators, to address challenges with host communities only achieved very minimal successes. 
“It is for this reason that I was particularly excited at the passage of the PIA 2021, 
He expressed delight to be part of the commissioning of the Oil and Gas Host Communities National Liaison Office which is another testimony to their avowed commitment to the implementation of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, as it pertains to oil-bearing communities in the country

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Ex-IPAC legal adviser tells Tinubu not to delay the regulation of prices of food items

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***Naira Gains and Losses – Product of APC’s Ineptitude

Former National Legal Adviser  Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika has raised issues over skyrocketing prices of goods and services amidst speculations on a daily basis that the Nigerian Naira is gaining value against the American dollar

Ezeobika who was also a Candidate Anambra South Senatorial District (2018) gave the indication in statement on Sunday.

He said the presumption of gains in the Nigerian currency may be erroneous as they are without the consequent effects on goods and services as the average Nigerian is yet to feel the impact

“The reason for this indescribable phenomenon, just as we have in every sector of the Nigerian economy, is indeed not far-fetched. The wilful resolve by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led APC government to continually deceive Nigerians amidst the glaring economic recession and crisis. 

“It is erroneous to yield to the belief that the Nigerian currency can ever make any gains against the American dollar or its economy relevant in the global stage if the country is unable to produce the basic goods and services required by it, to build and develop its dilapidated and or non-existent infrastructure in critical sectors of the economy such as health, power, transport and agriculture. 

“All known indices of economic recession are currently prevalent in the Nigerian economy as can be seen in high and unprecedented costs of goods as well as services and the continued manipulation, by the current administration,  of the Nation’s currency, against the will of the Nigerian people.

“The Federal and State agencies saddled with the responsibility of regulating the prices of goods, most especially food items which are basic to an average Nigerian, have become either obsolete or 

non-existent, hence, the absurdities prevalent in the prices of food commodities such as rice, yam and beans, in most Nigerian markets.  

“The current administration has wilfully and consciously chosen to continue the path of its predecessors by propagating ill-conceived social and economic policies and engaging in projects that are purely unconnected and at variance with the well-being of its citizens.  

“The Nigerian Legislature ought to, as a matter of urgency, re-discover its essence in enacting relevant laws which have direct bearing on the lives of ordinary citizens, re-position itself in its oversight functions and periodically justify the huge budgets passed yearly to maintain the legislative arm of the Nigerian government. 

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Ganduje: Northern Patriots accuses Kano Gov of lack of Clear Agenda

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***Say, he is Progressing In Error

The Northern Patriots (NP) has take a swipe at Governor Abba Yusuf for lacking in any clear blueprint or agenda for the people of Kano State.

Comrade Dominic Alancha, the national president of the group, gave the indication during an interview on TVC’s Journalists Hangout on Sunday.

According to Alancha, the governor has instead resorted to a witch-hunt and political vendetta against his predecessor Alhaji Umar Ganduje all in the name of a probe.

Comrade Alancha indicated Governor Yusuf is progressing in error as his perceived case against Ganduje is dead on arrival as it is not within the jurisdiction of the state to probe him.

The Northern Patriots, however, advised the governor to focus on governance and if indeed he wants to recover state funds, he should look the way of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“It is unfortunate that Governor Abba Yusuf is progressing in error. Instead of focusing on advancing governance, he is out for a witch-hunt and political vendetta against his predecessor,” he said.

“I don’t think that he is aware that there is a judicial pronouncement on this matter. The state can’t prosecute Ganduje, it is the responsibility of the federal high court.

“For me, this case is dead on arrival. If he’s transparent enough, he should have gone back to 2011 or even beyond to probe his political godfather because there are a lot of accusations against Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of corruption and misappropriation of state resources.

“For example, in 2011, there was a 5km contract purportedly allocated to each of the 44 LGAs. Unfortunately, to date, 1km of that road has not been constructed.

“If any probe is to be done, it should be based on transparency and accountability. But this whole case is diverting the attention of the people from seeking transparency and good governance from the governor.

“Abba has nothing to point out as his achievement in the last 11 months. Rather, he is busy setting up committees to probe his predecessor.

“I think it is proper for him to sit down and make his priorities known. He should set out a clear agenda for the people. ”

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Fubara vows to liberate Rivers people from oppression

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Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has vowed to his to liberate Rivers people from bad governance and oppression.

Fubara spoke on Saturday at a thanksgiving rally organised by the SIMplified Movement at Ibaka, Okirika Local Government Area.

The SIMplified Movement, a pro-Fubara group, organised the event to mark the governor’s successful election and victory at the Supreme Court.

Fubara who spoke through Awajinombek Abiante, the member representing, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that Rivers people had been oppressed for too long

”A reggae artiste named Lucky Dube, once sang about the imprisonment of the mind, that song mirrors our pathetic situation in Rivers state today.

”Few days ago, a report revealed that many schools in the state lacked teachers, and are dilapidated.
”This reported decay and shortage of teachers did not happen in the last 10 months of my administration, it is an accumulation of neglect.
”They decided not to build schools because they want to imprison the minds of our people, to make us blind in loyalty and unable to ask questions,” he
Fubara said that his government had already commenced efforts to revive the education sector by renovating schools and recruiting more teachers.
”It is for this sake that this government has come to guarantee liberty and break the chains that have held us bound,” he said.
The governor said that his administration had commenced the rehabilitatiin of Okirika Grammar School to provide a sound learning ground for the people of the area.
According to him, his administration would listen to the yearnings of Rivers people and take actions without making noise about it.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Anderson Allison, APC member representing Okirika/Ogu/Bolo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that membership of the SIMplified Movement spanned across political parties.
Allison said that prominent politicians and the elite class in Rivers were in support of Fubara due to his integrity and commitment to the service of the state.
”Fubara sees the welfare of Rivers people as a priority, he has also demonstrated dedication to good governance and service delivery.
”The governor has been in office for just 10 months and has already achieved a lot without resorting to abuses, this is how a leader should behave,” he said

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