18/09/2025
NEITI PARTNERS ENVIRONMENT, MINERAL RESOURCES MINISTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE BY OIL COMPANIES
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources,Akwa Ibom State,has held a Stakeholders Engagement with representatives of Host Communities Development Trusts,NUPRC ,CBO to assess the compliance of oil companies with statutory obligations under the Petroleum Host Community Development Trust Fund.
The meeting, which took place in the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources Conference Room, Tuesday 16th August,2025 brought together key stakeholders from the oil and gas sector, host community leaders, civil society organisation, and government representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Akwa Ibom State to review progress on the implementation of the Host Community Development provisions as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Setting the tone for the Event,the Commissioner for
Environment and Mineral Resources,Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong reaffirmed the government’s readiness to work with NEITI and other relevant bodies to monitor and enforce compliance.He noted that environmental sustainability and community development must go hand in hand for oil producing communities to fully benefit from its natural resources.
Rt.Hon Nsikak Ekong while welcoming the Stakeholders stated that the gathering marks a critical step in ensuring that the Petroleum Trust Fund achieves its intended purpose: to drive accountability, transparency, and sustainable development in the utilization of petroleum revenues for the benefit of the host communities .
Rt Hon Ekong who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Iquo Abia, Esq intimated that the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, is saddled with the responsibility of providing a conducive environment for the oil companies to operate in addition to ensuring that the Petroleum Industry Act framework is fully implemented to the benefit of the communities.
She said that the collaboration of the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI )and other key stakeholders reflects shared commitment to building a governance framework that is transparent, inclusive, and efficient, hoping that the engagement will trigger better experiences for the host communities of oil communities.
The Commissioner who commended the initiative and foresight of NEITI in stepping in to track success also reaffirmed the government’s readiness to work with NEITI and other relevant bodies to monitor and enforce compliance.
Addressing the Participants, the Zonal Representatives and Member National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) NEITI,Presidency, Dr. Steve Akpan informed that NEITI is an Anti Corruption Agency of the Federal Government in the oil, gas and solid mineral sector mandated to ensure transparency and accountability and to monitor compliance to Host Communities Development Trust Fund by oil companies .He said the meeting was apt as it would provide ample opportunity for NEITI to have first hand information from the communities' representatives and act accordingly.
Dr Akpan emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the administration of the Host Community Development Trust Fund. He reiterated NEITI’s commitment to ensuring that oil-producing communities receive their due benefits in line with the provisions of the law.
“This engagement is part of our mandate to ensure that oil companies are fulfilling their statutory responsibilities to the communities where they operate,” Dr. Akpan said.
“We must strengthen partnerships to ensure the effective implementation of the Trust Fund, which is critical to addressing the developmental needs of host communities and promoting peace and stability in the host communities."
The Stakeholders Engagement Forum also featured Chairmen of the Host Community Development Trusts sharing experiences and concerns regarding the delayed or incomplete remittances by some oil companies. They called for clearer reporting mechanisms and more robust enforcement to ensure oil companies adhere strictly to the 3% annual operating expenditure contribution mandated by the PIA.
Speaking, the Executive Director of a Civil Society Organisation,the Development Research and Synergy Initiative, Princess Umoh lauded the initiatives and foresight of NEITI in its series of engagement and interventions and pledged to advocate for their rights, promote social justice, and hold institutions accountable through active participation and engagement.
The maiden meeting of the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) , Chairmen of Host Communities Development Trust Fund and the Development Research and Synergy Initiative (CSO) ended with a call on all participants to compile their various challenges and experiences for appropriate intervention by relevant partners.
