By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
Anatolia Energy and Services Limited operators of the PML 104/ Okiori Oil Field has concluded a three day leadership training for members of the Nembe Okiori Host Community Development Trust( HCDT) on the effective management of the trust in line with the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA).
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the training programme held in Yenagoa, Mr. Banji Adekoya representing Anatolia Energy said the leadership training was designed to equip members to effectively manage funds accruing to the trust in order to drive sustainable community development in Nembe Kingdom host communities.
According to Adekoya, having inaugurated the Nembe Okiori Community Development Trust last year it became necessary to train operators of the trust, adding that capacity development programme cover areas such as strategic leadership, management skills, effective teamwork, legal and regulatory Framework of the PIA, stakeholders and communication skills.
He said ” In line with the Petroleum Industry Act every operator/Settlor is expected to set up a host community development trust and last year Anatolia Energy sets up the Nembe Okiori Community Development Trust.
” Now members of the trust are made up of people of different background: business people, civil servants and the private sector so it became very important to carry out a comprehensive leadership and management training for them in order to build their capacity to run and manage the trust effectively.
” The trust would be expected to manage the funds that Settlor will be paying to the trust. Because in line with the PIA Anatolia Energy would be contributing 3% of it’s operational expenditure every year to Nembe Okiori Host Community Development Trust and members of this trust which includes a Board of Trustees, a management committee and an advisory committee would be responsible for using the funds for the development of the host community”.
He noted that PIA mandates settlors to fund and work with HCDTs to execute projects that address the needs of host communities, stating that regular meetings between the settlor and trust are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in project implementation.
Adekoya emphasized that Anatolia Energy’s relationship with host communities will remain cordial as the company has built strong ties across the community structure, from the Palace of the Mingi to the Council of Chiefs and other organs of the community.
