Accugas Inaugurates Board of Trustees For Host Communities Development Trust
By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Accugas Limited has inaugurated the Board of Trustees for the Accugas Host Communities Development Trust (“HCDT”), the first midstream HCDT to be inaugurated in Nigeria.
The inauguration recently, in Uyo representef an important milestone in Accugas’ longstanding relationship with its host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Accugas is Nigeria’s midstream subsidiary of Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter.
Over many years, Accugas has worked closely with these 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.
Nkoyo Etuk, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Regional Manager, Nigeria, Savannah, said the inauguration builds on a longstanding commitment to the communities in which the company operate.
He added that the development has reinforced a principle that has long guided its operations with the host communities as important stakeholders in business.
Etuk maintained that the company long-term success was closely linked to their wellbeing, stability and development, stressing, “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.
“⁶The 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.”
Cynthia Nzeh, Senior Manager, Host Community Development Trust, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (“NMDPRA”) said the Accugas Host Communities Development Trust is the first midstream Host Communities Development Trust in Nigeria to be inaugurated, describing it as an important milestone.
According to him, 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.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr Nsikak Ekong commended Accugas for its commitment to incorporating host communities across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States into its development agenda.
He 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 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.”
The inauguration of the Board of Trustees builds on Accugas’ longstanding contribution to the development of its host communities in Nigeria, as part of Pillar 1 of its sustainability strategy, “Promoting Socio-economic Prosperity”, and is aligned with a number of its chosen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
