The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called for transparency, equity, and strict compliance in the implementation of Host Community Development Trust Funds (HCDTFs) under Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Speaking at a stakeholder dialogue in Port Harcourt, FENRAD’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, emphasized the need for community-driven planning and oversight in how oil-producing communities, especially in the Southeast, benefit from the 3% operating expenditure set aside for their development by oil companies.
“The success of the PIA depends on transparency, accountability, and genuine community involvement,” Nwafor stated. He called for needs assessments that reflect the true priorities of local people — involving youth, women, religious leaders, and traditional institutions.
FENRAD urged that representatives on the Trust Boards must be elected transparently and reflect the diversity of the communities. It also advocated regular public disclosure of financial flows, independent audits, and the use of town halls, radio, and notice boards to keep residents informed.
The group proposed the formation of community monitoring committees and functional grievance mechanisms to detect mismanagement early. It also stressed the importance of rotating leadership positions and equitable distribution of projects — especially for marginalized settlements.
FENRAD pledged its continued support to communities, governments, and oil operators in ensuring that the HCDTFs drive true development, reduce conflict, and foster justice in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.
