The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Ford Foundation have formally concluded the Bridges Project with a high-level stakeholders’ dialogue aimed at improving how Host Community Development Trusts are implemented under the Petroleum Industry Act across the Niger Delta. The organisations said the project, which started in 2023, helped build trust, improve communication and strengthen understanding of community development expectations in the oil-producing region.
In a joint statement, PIND and the Ford Foundation said the closing event took place at a two-day forum titled “Four Years of the PIA: Lessons, Gains, and the Path Forward for Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs)”. The gathering brought together more than 150 stakeholders from government agencies, oil settlers, development partners, regulators and community leaders. According to the organisers, the discussions created an opportunity for honest review of the progress made so far, the challenges still being faced and the gaps in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, especially as it affects the host communities.
The Bridges Project was introduced in 2023 to address long-standing communication gaps between key players in the oil and gas sector. It focused on promoting transparency, trust and improved governance around the Host Community Development Trusts, which were created by the PIA to ensure host communities benefit directly from extractive activities. The organisers said the project played a strong role in educating communities and regulators about the roles, responsibilities and opportunities within the HCDT framework.
Executive Director of PIND Foundation, Sam Daibo, said the forum allowed stakeholders to reflect on lessons from the Bridges Project and prepare for a more effective future. He explained that the success of the Petroleum Industry Act goes beyond legal compliance and depends largely on collaboration, trust and accountability among regulators, oil companies and host communities. Daibo noted that the project helped bridge the gap between communities and settlers and also improved understanding of how the HCDTs should operate for long-term development.
Daibo said, “The Bridges Project has demonstrated that the success of the PIA, and especially the HCDT model, relies not only on compliance but also on collaboration, trust, and shared accountability. The lessons learnt from this process offer a roadmap for the future, guiding how we strengthen partnerships, deepen community involvement, and maintain the progress of host community development.”
A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Bridges Project Status Report. According to the organisers, the report showed that awareness of the PIA has grown among host communities, and collaboration between regulators and community groups has improved. The report also pointed to the creation of governance models that support community participation and engagement, which they believe will strengthen future implementation of the HCDTs.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission’s Manager of Host Community Development Administration, Omolade Awah, commended PIND and the Ford Foundation for promoting transparency and dialogue. Awah said the Host Community Development Trust is already producing visible results in the region. She mentioned human capital projects, infrastructure development initiatives and growing community trust as signs that the framework is beginning to deliver benefits as intended by the PIA.
She added that the NUPRC remains committed to improving the HCDT model and ensuring that it becomes a reliable tool for sustainable development, peacebuilding and prosperity in oil-producing communities. According to her, the Commission sees the HCDT as an important foundation for long-term stability in the Niger Delta and for the oil and gas sector.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Linus Nkan, also shared his views at the event. He said the HCDT model requires shared responsibility and continuous learning by stakeholders. He encouraged other Niger Delta states to adopt the framework not only for oil-producing areas but also within government institutions to build trust between citizens and state authorities. He said this would help strengthen public participation in development processes.
With the Bridges Project coming to an end, PIND Foundation and the Ford Foundation confirmed their commitment to keeping the Multi-Stakeholder Platform active. They also pledged to continue offering support for capacity building and improving the operations of Host Community Development Trusts across the region. Both organisations said their long-term goal is to support a Niger Delta where peace and development are driven by community participation, cooperation and sustainable structures established under the Petroleum Industry Act.
