Yemisi Izuora
The NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has organized a one-day sensitization workshop for vendors in its Western Assets Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) targeted at evaluating the approved HCDT contracting processes and reinforcing compliance with the procurement governance requirements.
The workshop which was held in Sapele, Delta State, brought together members of the Board of Trustees (BOTs), Management Committees (MCs), and Advisory Committees (ACs) of the Akugbe, Ekugbe and Ethiope HCDTs, as well as representatives of the NEPL, traditional rulers, company officials and community stakeholders into a robust engagement on the workings of the procurement processes and contract management for the host communities.
Declaring the workshop open, Mrs Blessing Adagbasa, the General Manager, Category Management-Asset/ Operations, Procurement and Nigerian Content (PNC), Seplat Energy, stated that the objective of the workshop was to emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability by raising awareness of procurement risks, ethical considerations and common red flags that could undermine the integrity of the contracting process, She also highlighted key procurement controls, documentation requirements and governance checkpoints for the HCDTs.
Key areas covered at the workshop were the complete HCDT contracting lifecycle, project planning and approval, vendor registration and bidder selection process, contract award and execution, project monitoring and payment approval as well as ethical procurement practices, conflict -of-interest management and fraud prevention.
Also commenting on the programme, the representative of NEPL, Mr. Olubukonl Oyegbami, Lead Strategy and Planning, Community Relations, commended the initiative of the workshop stating that it was a step in the right direction. He also stated that it would help provide clarity and support in a transparent manner so as to strengthen the contracting and compliance process of the HCDTs . This, he noted, would ensure the development of meaningful projects in line with the needs assessment of host communities.
The Representative of the Oba of Benin’s Palace on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and BOT member of the Akugbe HCDTs, Chief George Igie Ekhator, commended Seplat Energy for the initiative and its commitment to transparency, accountability and sustained partnership with the HCDTs and stakeholders.
Stakeholders at the workshop stressed the need for continuous engagement and broader sensitization of community vendors to ensure effective implementation of the contracting and other processes.