Accugas Limited, the Nigerian midstream subsidiary of Savannah Energy Plc, has made history by inaugurating the Board of Trustees of its Host Communities Development Trust. This milestone makes Accugas the first midstream operator in Nigeria to establish such a trust. The inauguration ceremony took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and marks a significant step in the company's engagement with its host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The Host Communities Development Trust was established under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, providing a structured platform for host communities to identify, prioritize, and implement development initiatives that address their needs. This framework aligns with the Midstream Petroleum Regulations issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The trust will enable Accugas to contribute annually to host-community development, ensuring that projects and initiatives are driven by the actual needs and priorities of the communities.
The Senior Manager, Host Community Development Trust, at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Cynthia Nzeh, commended Accugas for this achievement, noting that it is a significant milestone in the industry. She emphasized the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the trust's operations, ensuring that projects implemented through the trust are community-driven and address the actual needs of the host communities.
The Head of Stakeholder Relations and Regional Manager, Nigeria, at Savannah Energy, Nkoyo Etuk, highlighted that the establishment of the trust builds on Accugas' longstanding relationship with its host communities. The trust will give communities greater responsibility, ownership, and participation in development initiatives, building on previous interventions in education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and infrastructure.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bassey Itama Abang, outlined the board's focus on ensuring that the trust delivers meaningful and sustainable development outcomes. The board will work with Accugas, community leaders, and other stakeholders to advance projects that genuinely reflect the priorities of the communities and create lasting value. This approach aims to move beyond mere contract-awarding and focus on impactful community development.
The inauguration of the Host Communities Development Trust represents a formalization of Accugas' host-community development obligations, providing a governance structure for community development interventions under the Petroleum Industry Act framework. Over the years, Accugas has supported various initiatives in its host communities, covering education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure, and other areas of community development.
A stakeholder close to the development noted that the real test of the new trust will be its ability to translate the statutory framework into visible, community-driven projects. The trust's success will depend on its transparency, responsiveness to community needs, and the sustainability of projects implemented. Ultimately, the trust's impact will be measured by its ability to create lasting value and improve the lives of community members.
Key points
- Accugas Limited has inaugurated the Board of Trustees of its Host Communities Development Trust, becoming the first midstream operator in Nigeria to do so.
- The trust was established under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to provide a structured platform for host communities to identify and implement development initiatives.
- The board will focus on ensuring that the trust delivers meaningful and sustainable development outcomes, driven by the actual needs and priorities of the host communities.
