The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has brought together regulators, Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), oil and gas companies and civil society organisations to develop practical measures for sustaining host-community governance reforms and strengthening implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The stakeholders met in Port Harcourt at the PIND Bridges Project HCDT Impact Summit, themed, “From Evidence to Sustainability: Consolidating HCDT Gains and Advancing Effective PIA Implementation.”

The summit assessed evidence generated through the project, examined continuing institutional challenges and sought to clarify responsibilities for maintaining successful practices after the project concludes.

Participants reviewed findings from outcome harvesting, the HCDT Impact Evidence Report, case studies and other knowledge products developed through the project. They subsequently participated in a Sustainability Clinic focused on governance, performance tracking, peer learning, stakeholder coordination and capacity strengthening.

PIND’s Programs Director, Dr Effiong Essien, said the lasting impact of the Bridges Project would depend on whether its achievements continue beyond the project cycle.

He said progress recorded by HCDTs should lead to stronger institutions, greater community participation and improved accountability in development processes.

According to Essien, sustaining the gains requires stakeholders to take ownership of the tools, relationships and practices established through the project, while providing the leadership and resources needed to maintain them.

He said the Bridges Project, through awareness-raising, capacity strengthening and Multi-Stakeholder Platforms, had contributed to HCDT operationalisation, participatory planning, better governance practices and stronger cooperation among communities, regulators, settlers and civil society actors.

Selected HCDTs also presented evidence of changes recorded at the community level, alongside the challenges that continue to affect their work.

Chairman of Emuoha HCDT, Mr. Smart Okpara, said the project had improved the Trust’s capacity for planning, stakeholder engagement and results accountability.

“Bridges has given us practical tools to improve our governance, involve our communities in decision-making and track the results of our development investments. Our responsibility now is to keep using these systems and ensure that the progress continues beyond the project,” he said.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), settlors and civil society organisations equally presented lessons and identified priorities for improving implementation of the PIA.

Speaking on the regulatory implications of the discussions, NUPRC Deputy Director, Mr. Kingsley Ehiaguina, said the evidence and lessons generated by the summit could contribute to improved HCDT performance and compliance.

According to him, successful implementation of the PIA requires HCDTs to operate transparently, remain accountable and respond effectively to the needs of their host communities.

He added that the lessons from The Bridges project could serve as a basis for improving practices, enhancing coordination among stakeholders and sustaining compliance.

The summit concluded with the development of a Sustainability Framework that proposed responsibilities for continued governance strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, peer learning, knowledge management, capacity development and stakeholder coordination.

Source: The Guardian