Representatives of Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDT) in Delta State have urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to be more transparent in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in the state.

They made the call on Tuesday at an advocacy workshop organised by a non-governmental organisation, ?Connected Development?.

The stakeholders also called on the NUPRC and HCDT managers to follow due process in all their undertakings in the PIA implementation.

The participants, drawn from the various oil producing clans in the state were trained on project design, management, implementation, procurement, execution, funds management and effective communication.

The stakeholders, while commending the NUPRC, urged the commission to do proper monitoring in terms of regulations regarding the governance structure.

They also urged the commission to put the oil companies, otherwise known as Settlors, on their toes to do the needful in accordance with the law.

Addressing the participants, Mr Mukhtar Modibbo, the Lead Community Engagement and Community Development Manager of Connected Development, said the workshop was organized to support the HCDT Fund and see how they would implement the Trust properly, build up capacities around project management, procurement and effective communication?.

Modibbo urged the participants to be more transparent and inclusive in the process of selecting membership selection, especially integrating project management training, proposal writing, robust budget/financial management planning, and proper communication of HCDT?s outputs and outcomes.

He added that such transparency would bolster the HCDT?s framework in Nigeria and unlock opportunities for sustainable project investment.

Modibbo stressed the need for the HCDT Fund managers to strictly follow the guidelines of the NUPRC, by guiding against misgivings.

According to him, ?if the guidelines are properly followed, the outcome will be a sort of community projects being implemented by the community where everybody is being briefed on the stage by stage development?.

The stakeholders, however, resolved that Settlors should adhere to the dictates of the PIA which stipulates the remission of three per cent to the coffers of the Trust for effective delivery on projects beneficial to the host communities.

They also called for the timely disbursement of the three per cent by the Settlors as well as the transparent selection of the Board of Trustees into the HCDT Fund.

Speaking at the sidelines, a participant, Mr Charles Beniwei, lauded the PIA initiative and advised everyone to be patience and follow due process to obtain what is required.

?In a short while, we will start seeing sustainable development projects all over the place,? he said.

Another participant, Dr Eyide Michael described the capacity building workshop as very timely especially the area that deals with procurement.

?We should follow due process in our activities and put into practice what we have learnt in this capacity building workshop,? he said.

Among the participants were: Mr Jonathan Akpata, Chairman, Gbokoda Community representing Dibi-Olero HCDT; Mrs Florence Oghobi representing Sagharatie Community in Warri North LGA; Chief David Ugedi representing Oloduwa HCDT, Opouama; Mr Henry Erikowa representing Egbokodo Itsekiri.

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