Uche Cecil Izuora
Communities within the operational environment of Accugas Limited, will begin to develop capacity and skill acquisition after the firm formally inaugurated its Host Communities Development Trust Board of Trustees (HCDT).
Accugas Limited, is midstream subsidiary in Nigeria, of Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery ofProjects that Matter.
The firm appears to be the first midstream to inaugurate the HCDT in Nigeria.
The inauguration represents an important milestone in Accugas’ longstanding relationship with its host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. Over many years, Accugas has worked closely with these communities to support initiatives across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure and other areas of community development in line with Savannah’s sustainability policy.
Established within the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (“PIA”) 2021, the Accugas HCDT provides a structured and sustainable platform through which host communities can participate in identifying and prioritising their development needs and implementing initiatives designed to address those needs.
Nkoyo Etuk, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Regional Manager, Nigeria, Savannah, said: “For Accugas, this inauguration builds on a longstanding commitment to the communities in which we operate. It reinforces a principle that has long guided our operations: that our host communities are important stakeholders in our business, and that our long-term success is closely linked to their wellbeing, stability and development.
Over many years, Accugas has built and maintained constructive relationships with our host communities, supporting initiatives across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure and other areas of community development.
The establishment of this Trust provides an opportunity to build on these efforts through a framework that places greater responsibility, ownership and participation in the hands of the communities themselves.”
Cynthia Nzeh, Senior Manager, Host Community Development Trust, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said: “The Accugas Host Communities Development Trust is the first midstream Host Communities Development Trust in Nigeria to be inaugurated. I commend Accugas and the Board of Trustees for achieving this important milestone. The Board carries the expectations of the host communities and therefore has a responsibility to serve with integrity, transparency and accountability. I also encourage the Board to ensure that all projects and initiatives are driven by the needs and priorities of the communities.”
Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Akwa Ibom State, commended Accugas for its commitment to incorporating host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States into its development agenda.
He urged the Board members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and accountability, stressing the importance of carrying their communities along and remaining faithful to the trust reposed in them.
Chief Bassey Itama Abang, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Accugas Host Communities Development Trust said: “The Board of Trustees is not a contract-awarding institution. Our role is to ensure that the Trust delivers meaningful and sustainable development outcomes for our communities. We look forward to working closely with Accugas, community leaders and other stakeholders to advance projects that genuinely reflect community priorities and create lasting value.”
The inauguration of the Board of Trustees builds on Accugas’ longstanding contribution to the development of its host communities in Nigeria, as part of Pillar 1 of its sustainability strategy, “Promoting Socio-economic Prosperity”, and is aligned with a number of its chosen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.