Accugas Limited, the Nigerian midstream subsidiary of British independent energy company Savannah Energy PLC, has inaugurated the Board of Trustees of its Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), becoming the first midstream company in Nigeria to inaugurate such a trust.
The inauguration marks a significant milestone in Accugas’ relationship with its host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and provides a structured framework for communities to participate in identifying, prioritising and implementing development projects that address their needs.
The Host Communities Development Trust was established in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. It is designed to provide a sustainable platform for host communities to play a greater role in determining and driving development initiatives within their areas.
Over the years, Accugas has supported various initiatives in its host communities, including programmes focused on education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure and other areas of socio-economic development.
Speaking at the inauguration, Savannah Energy’s Head of Stakeholder Relations and Regional Manager, Nigeria, Nkoyo Etuk, said the establishment of the Trust builds on Accugas’ longstanding commitment to the communities where it operates.
“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,” Etuk said.
She added that the Trust would provide an opportunity to strengthen existing community development efforts by giving communities greater responsibility, ownership and participation in determining projects that affect them.
Cynthia Nzeh, Senior Manager, Host Community Development Trust at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), described the inauguration as an important milestone for the Nigerian midstream sector.
According to Nzeh, the Accugas HCDT is the first midstream Host Communities Development Trust to be inaugurated in Nigeria.
She commended Accugas and the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees, while urging the board to operate with integrity, transparency and accountability.
Nzeh also advised the board to ensure that projects and initiatives implemented through the Trust are driven by the needs and priorities identified by the host communities.
The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, also commended Accugas for incorporating its host communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states into its development agenda.
Ekong urged members of the Board of Trustees to uphold integrity and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities and ensure that the communities they represent remain actively involved in the development process.
Chairman of the Accugas Host Communities Development Trust Board of Trustees, Chief Bassey Itama Abang, clarified that the Trust would not function as a contract-awarding institution.
“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,” Abang said.
He said the board would work with Accugas, community leaders and other stakeholders to implement projects that reflect the priorities of the communities and deliver lasting value.
The inauguration is part of Accugas’ broader sustainability strategy, particularly its first pillar, “Promoting Socio-economic Prosperity.”
The company said its host community development efforts are also aligned with several 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).
The inauguration of the Trust is expected to provide a more structured and participatory approach to community development across Accugas’ host communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.