Accugas Deepens Host Community Relations, Inaugurates HCDT BOTs in A’Ibom, Cross River
Peter Uzoho
British independent energy company, Savannah Energy Plc, has announced that its midstream subsidiary in Nigeria, Accugas Limited, has inaugurated the Board of Trustees for its Host Communities Development Trust (HCDTs).
Acugas disclosed that in a statement issued yesterday, saying the inauguration represents an important milestone in its longstanding relationship with its host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The statement said Accugas had over the years worked closely with the communities to support initiatives across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure, and other areas of community development in line with Savannah’s sustainability policy.
Established within the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Accugas HCDT provides a structured and sustainable platform through which host communities can participate in identifying and prioritising their development needs and implementing initiatives designed to address those needs.
Speaking on the inauguration, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Regional Manager, Nigeria, Savannah, Nkoyo Etuk, said the inauguration built on Acugas’ longstanding commitment to communities in which it operated.
Etuk added that the inauguration reinforced a principle that had long guided the company’s operations, where its host communities were treated as important stakeholders in its business, “and that our long-term success is closely linked to their wellbeing, stability and development.”
Etuk stated, “Over many years, Accugas has built and maintained constructive relationships with our host communities, supporting initiatives across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure and other areas of community development.
“The establishment of this trust provides an opportunity to build on these efforts through a framework that places greater responsibility, ownership and participation in the hands of the communities themselves.”
In her remarks, Senior Manager, Host Community Development Trust, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Cynthia Nzeh, said, “The Accugas Host Communities Development Trust is the first midstream Host Communities Development Trust in Nigeria to be inaugurated. I commend Accugas and the Board of Trustees for achieving this important milestone.
“The board carries the expectations of the host communities and, therefore, has a responsibility to serve with integrity, transparency and accountability. I also encourage the Board to ensure that all projects and initiatives are driven by the needs and priorities of the communities.”
Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, commended Accugas for its commitment to incorporating host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River states into its development agenda.
Ekong urged the board members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and accountability, stressing the importance of carrying their communities along and remaining faithful to the trust reposed in them.
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Accugas Host Communities Development Trust, Chief Bassey Itama Abang, said, “The Board of Trustees is not a contract-awarding institution. Our role is to ensure that the trust delivers meaningful and sustainable development outcomes for our communities. We look forward to working closely with Accugas, community leaders and other stakeholders to advance projects that genuinely reflect community priorities and create lasting value.”
