The watershed event brought together key figures from the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), traditional rulers, community leaders, and respected voices from both Imo and Rivers States representing stakeholders in Shell, Agip (Oando), NEPL (NNPC), SEPLAT, and Attan Petroleum as they critically analysed and assessed the extent at which both oil host communities; Rivers and Imo States, on one hand, and the Federal Government, on the other, have explored the huge oil and gas deposits in their soils to develop the country and the relative developmental projects and economic empowernment schemes extended to the host communities as they have always found themselves at the receiving end.
The focus of the meeting was the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)— a legislation signed into law in August 2021 that seeks to reposition and regulates Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as it aims to establish a new legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework while restructuring the industry, improving transparency, and promoting sustainable development, ensuring that host communities receive a share of the wealth extracted from their lands.
Egbema, notably Nigeria’s highest producer of natural gas, has long been shortchanged despite its immense contribution to national development. Egbema, straddling both Imo and some part of Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich communities, supplying a significant portion of the nation’s natural gas. Despite its economic importance, the region has struggled with underdevelopment and marginalization.
An intentional and development-driven illustrious son of the area—Dr. Ejike Chukwu (MON)— scholar, oil and gas expert, and strong advocate of developmental governance, made it clear that the aim of the gathering was to educate, provoke consciousness, and inspire the people to demand fair and meaningful inclusion in governance and development.
“This is not a political gathering,” Dr. Chukwu stated in his opening remarks. “It is about holding up the mirror of the Petroleum Industry Act —PIA— so that our people could see clearly what is due them—and to begin demanding it with a unified voice.”
Speakers at the meeting included Chief Engr. Nelson Ekperi, Dr. Uche Mike Chukwuma, Rev. Dr. J.C. Omaegbu, Hon. Gabriel Anyanwu, HRH Eze S. Okwodu, and Eze Wac Uwakwe, among others. Each brought fresh insight into how the communities can strengthen their stake in the implementation of the Act through unity, transparency, and collaboration.
Coming out of the strategic meeting with far-reaching resolutions which included;
1.Institutionalizing regular stakeholders’ engagements to assess development progress and community strategies.
2.Working with other host communities in the Niger Delta region and across the country to advocate for an increase in the 3% operational expenditure contribution currently mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act—PIA.
3.Maximizing existing funds under the HCDT Structure to deliver visible impactful projects.
4.Promoting trust in local HCDT representatives while ensuring transparency and accountability in fund management.
5.Encouraging communities involved in legal tussles to embrace out-of-court settlement to avoid delays in project implementation.
6.Strongly commending ongoing and completed projects in Opuoma, Obeakpu, Obiakpu, and Aggah under the Shell Trust, with new road projects also set to commence in Aggah after Easter Feast celebration under the Oando Trust.
To support deeper understanding of the law and inspire informed advocacy, the billionaire oil magnet and polished scholar, Dr. Chukwu Ejike (MON) distributed copies of the PIA Compendium to all attendees. The gesture was met with wide applause, as was his decision to provide transportation stipends to participants—a mark of thoughtful leadership, love for the people and community.
No doubt, the event reflected the high level of coordination and purpose behind the initiative as the Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, maintained that it is a continuous conversation as the people’s genuine demands for developmental governance and economic empowernments are adhered to and met by both the states and federal government even as the participants and stakeholders committed to moving forward with renewed unity and boldness to claim the future they deserve.
Dignitaries spotted at the August meeting included but not limited to: HRH Eze Wac Uwakwe, HRH Eze Okwodu, Dr. Ethel Ojiaku (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Imo State), Chief Dr. Harcourt Chikobi Justus, and many other respected sons and daughters of Egbema.
–Njoku Macdonald Obinna
Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR-Expert
Publisher, 4th Estate Reporters.