Leaders of oil producing communities in Ibeno local government area have resolved to speed up the process to qualify them to draw the three percent Host Communities Funds provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021.

President BUHARI had on 16th August 2021, signed the Petroleum Industry Bill into law, but oil producing communities in Ibeno local government are still yet to benefit from the 3 percent provision for host communities.

According to some community leaders, sensitization on the process involved in drawing the fund was lacking, but thanked these NGOs, Connected Development and Oxfam, for coming through for them.

Elder CYRIL AKPAN and Mrs ESTHER OKON ITRECHIO spoke to Inspiration FM’s Correspondent, DIANIME UKO, after an engagement by Connected Development and Oxfam to sensitize the host communities on aspects of the PIA bordering on Host Community Development Trust Funds and Human Rights.

The leaders admitted that their knowledge of the PIA is a step to achieving their benefits from companies operating in their area.

The fund, according to the leaders, including Sir DENIS BASSEY ESENAM, Village Head of Mkpanak, an oil bearing community in the area, will help meet their water, electricity, education and unemployment needs, among others.

On his part, Ibeno local government council Chairman, High Chief WILLIAMS MKPA, suggested that operations should be put on hold, should any issues arise from the implementation of the 3 percent between the host communities and oil and gas companies.

For the Director of Programmes, Connected Development, Mrs LUCY ABAJI, the NGOs are keen on providing technical support to the host communities to get their constitutional benefit from oil and gas firms operating in their areas.

The PIA provides that 75 percent of the host communities’ funds be used for capital projects, 5 percent as administrative cost while 20 percent is to be kept as reserve funds.