The Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) has rose to N373 billion as of October 13, 2025, with at least 536 community projects ongoing, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said.
The Commission in a statement signed by Eniola Akinkuotu, head, Media and Strategic Communications, NUPRC, explained that the total sum is comprised of N125billion and $168.9 million respectively.
The fund which was established by section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, mandates oil companies operating in Nigeria to deposit 3 percent of their operating expenditures of the preceding financial year into a trust fund for the benefit of host communities where they operate.
The Commission also announced that it has facilitated the delivery of over 10 projects under the Obagi Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in Rivers State, operated by TotalEnergies.
These projects were officially handed over to the communities hosting OML 58 during a two-day project commissioning and flag-off ceremony at Ogbogu Community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC stated that the projects will address issues related to basic education, healthcare, employment, and more.
Representing Komolafe, John Roland Tonglagha, executive commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment, and Community, task the host communities to take ownership of the infrastructure and collaborate with upstream operators to grow the oil industry and deliver national prosperity.
He said, “This milestone marks a defining moment in the implementation of the HCDT provisions under Section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and stands as a testament to the NUPRC’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.”
The Commission in the statement list the projects delivered to include: demolition and construction of two-storey building classroom blocks with 18 furnished standard classrooms size of 56 square metres UBEC standard at Ogbogu Community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA; remodelled Ogbogu Cottage Hospital with 20 beds capacity and a new newly constructed diagnostic centre and revatalisation and infrastructure upgrade of 1200 capacity Ogbogu Ultra Modern Civic Centre in Ogbogu community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA.
Others are construction of 260 metres asphalt pavement at Obe Road, Oboburu Community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA and fully constructed 320 metres reinforced concrete pavement at SDA Road, Oboburu Community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA.
The HCDT, the Commission said also delivered the construction of Amah Bottling Water Factory, Amah Community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA, with a production capacity of 1500 bottles per hour and satchet water machine with a capacity of 2000 per hour; construction of admin and security buildings, procurement of Gas Skid Plant in Erema Community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA; renovation, procurement and installation of student writing desk and other modern facilities at Akabuka South Primary School and renovation, procurement and installation of student writing desk and other modern facilities at Akabuka North Primary School.
These projects according to the Commission, were developed based on the needs and priorities defined by the communities themselves, in line with the Host Communities provisions of the PIA, 2021.
It explained that projects gives the communities a sense of ownership and is expected to reduce incidents of sabotage on oil facilities like pipeline vandalism, ensures the communities receive direct benefits from petroleum operations like social economic, educational development, empowerment of youth and overall reduction of restiveness in the Niger Delta region.
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In his remarks, Benson Agadaga, Senate Committee Chairman on Oil and Gas Host Communities, noted that host communities are now reaping the dividends of the PIA’s successful implementation.
He emphasised that peace in the Niger Delta would help the Commission meet its production target of over two million barrels per day.
He said, “This is a challenge to other HCDTs to do the same because the little peace we are seeing today in the Niger Delta is because of the achievements of the PIA, and the host communities are no longer as hostile as before.”
Also speaking at the event, Matthieu Bouyer, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, said the speed of the project delivery reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable economic development in host communities.
He said, “We are one of the first, if not the first, International Oil Companies to create and fund the Trust two years ago, which of course, is the Obagi HCDT. Within the community development plan, there are more than 500 projects currently identified, touching more than 60 communities.”
“The Obagi HCDT as a shining example of what is possible when trust and policy are aligned. I am proud to support this project, which has created more than 1,000 jobs and will impact over 30,000 people,” he added.
