PORT HARCOURT — The Host Communities of Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the long-standing Gas Flare Penalty Funds to oil-producing communities, saying the money is needed to tackle the environmental and developmental challenges facing host communities.
The demand was made during a meeting of HOSTCOM leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from oil and gas-producing states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The stakeholders said the Gas Flare Penalty Funds were established to support development in communities bearing the environmental and socio-economic consequences of oil and gas exploration and production.
They urged the Federal Government to ensure that the funds are released and deployed for the benefit of the affected communities.
The stakeholders appealed to President Tinubu to “rewrite history” by releasing the funds to HOSTCOM, arguing that such a move would demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of oil-producing communities.
They also said the release of the funds would boost confidence among host communities in the administration and strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which focused on sustainable development, unity, peace and security in the Niger Delta, also witnessed commendation for Tinubu over the implementation of the Host Communities Development Board of Trustees (HCDTs).
The stakeholders described the successful operation of 172 HCDTs across oil-producing communities as a significant milestone that could accelerate development and improve relations between host communities and oil industry operators.
They also applauded the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for what they described as competence and teamwork in driving the HCDT process.
However, the stakeholders urged NUPRC and other relevant authorities to ensure that all eligible oil-producing communities are captured under the scheme.
They said wider coverage would promote equitable development and enable more communities across the Niger Delta to benefit from the initiative.
The forum also commended the national leadership of HOSTCOM for creating a platform where stakeholders from oil-producing states could interface, deliberate and build consensus on issues affecting host communities.
Participants particularly praised the National President of HOSTCOM, His Highness Dr Benjamin Tamaranebi Style, JP, for his leadership and efforts to unite various interests within the organisation.
The meeting, which brought together traditional rulers, host community leaders and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, resolved to sustain collaboration and dialogue in pursuit of peace, security, unity and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.
