THE Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo has urged Oil firms operating in the Niger Delta region to expedite the establishment and implementation of the Host Community Development Fund (HCDT) where they operate.
Ekpo, who gave the advice Thursday during an official visit to OML-13, the operational base of the NNPC Exploration and Production limited(NEPL) and the Natural Oilfield Services Limited(NOSL) in Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
He reminded them that the HCDT was in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), even as he expressed his satisfaction with NEPL and NOSL 's strong ties with the communities which has peaceful operations.
He also urged the company to extend power supply from the flow station to the communities, so they can experience the positive impact of the company.
The Minister emphasized that the operations of NEPL and NOSL would enhance the country's gas production capacity and assured that the federal government was ready to support the company in achieving its production targets.
On their part, the management of the NEPL-NOSL, stated that the company, has a production facilities with a capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 90 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, adding that the company expects to reach its full production potential before the end of the year.
"We consider our host communities as critical partners, and we have given utmost attention to our community development projects (CDP). Our priority is to ensure our communities are positively impacted by being involved in our day-to-day operations.
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"The company has executed several programmes and projects that have directly improved the lives and living standards of the host communities, with many more projects in the pipeline.
"We have carried out numerous community development projects, including medical outreaches, scholarship grants for students in higher institutions, the provision of medical equipment to hospitals, skills acquisition training programs, construction of boreholes, roads, and bridges, distribution of school furniture, laptops, electronic tablets, transformers, and more.
"The company is planning additional community development programs for the people.", the management noted
The Minister's visit provided the Minister and his team with the opportunity for a firsthand assessment of the oil and gas production facilities at OML-13 in Eastern Obolo LGA.
