SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACT: THE BRIDGES PROJECT

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law in August 2021, aims to establish good governance, best practices, and ease of business in the oil and gas industry. It attempts to, among other issues, clarify the roles and responsibilities of officials and institutions, regulate midstream and downstream activities, improve environmental compliance, transform NNPC into a commercially viable enterprise, and restructure the management of host communities' relations.

In restructuring the management of host communities, Chapter 3 of the PIA mandates the creation of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) to improve the quality of life of the host communities' population and improve accountability in the management of the HCDT Fund. The HCDT is expected to improve the quality of life of the host communities' population and improve accountability in managing development funds. One of its expected gains is sustainable community development as indicated by the degree of interest shown within the PIA in Participatory Needs Assessment and Community Development Plans to deliver such. Being the go-to development organization in the Niger Delta, PIND is particular about the successful implementation and sustainability of the HCDT. Considering the history of restiveness in the region, it is also vital that all stakeholders are actively involved and their interests are well represented in the implementation process while fostering sustainable impact. To this end, we partnered with Ford Foundation to support the host communities and other stakeholders - government and non-governmental organizations and local and international oil companies through an iniative called The Bridges Project. The project's overall objective is to complement and support the outlines of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) propositions and give voice to the other stakeholders in the PIA process, especially the communities. This support will involve creating awareness and understanding of the requirements of the Act and setting up a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) that will ensure the interests of the communities are adequately protected and enhanced. It also includes building the capacities of stakeholders to ensure that communities receive value from the HCDTs.

Starting in 2023, The Bridges Project will be implemented in five Niger Delta states: Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Ondo. These states are the epicenter of oil and gas extractive activities in the Niger Delta. Activities will include creating awareness and deepening knowledge of the PIA's technical components among community stakeholders.