Communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States now have a permanent seat at the table in shaping their own development, following the inauguration of the Board of Trustees for the Accugas Host Communities Development Trust (“HCDT”), the first midstream HCDT to be inaugurated in Nigeria.
The Trust was established by Accugas Limited, the Nigerian midstream subsidiary of British independent energy company Savannah Energy PLC, and marks a significant step forward in a relationship built over many years of collaboration with host communities on education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure and other development priorities, in line with Savannah’s sustainability policy.
Created under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (“PIA”) 2021, the HCDT gives host communities a structured and sustainable platform to identify and prioritise their development needs and to implement initiatives designed to address them.
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.