The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited, NEPL, and Natural Oilfield Services Limited, NOSL, to prioritize the establishment and implementation of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act 2022.
According to Persecondnews, Ekpo also urged them to extend power supply from the flow station to the communities so that they can experience the company’s positive impact.
The minister made the appeal during an official visit to OML-13, the operational base of NEPL and NOSL in Eastern Obollo, Akwa Ibom State.
He expressed satisfaction about the company’s strong ties with the communities, which, according to him, have fostered peaceful operations.
Ekpo noted that NEPL and NOSL operations would increase the country’s gas production capacity, ensuring that the Federal Government was ready to support the company in achieving its production targets.
Speaking earlier, the management of the NEPL-NOSL disclosed that the company has a production capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 90 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, adding that the company expects to reach its full production potential before the end of the year.
The management said the company has executed several programmes and projects that have directly improved the lives and living standards of the host communities, with many more projects in the pipeline.
“We consider our host communities as critical partners, and we have given utmost attention to our community development projects (CDP). Our priority is to ensure our communities are positively impacted by being involved in our day-to-day operations.
“We have carried out numerous community development projects, including medical outreaches, scholarship grants for students in higher institutions, the provision of medical equipment to hospitals, skills acquisition training programs, construction of boreholes, roads, and bridges, distribution of school furniture, laptops, electronic tablets, transformers, and more.
“The company is planning additional community development programs for the people,” the management said.
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