Business
Belemaoil Commits To Host Communities’ Dev …Inaugurates Trustees Board
Belemaoil Producing Limited has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the development of host communities in the impacted areas of its operations.
The company has consequently inaugurated the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) Board of Trustees, an act aimed at addressing the development needs of impacted communities in the oil-producing areas.
Delivering the Keynote Address at the Inauguration, held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, Weekend, the Acting Managing Director, Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Collins Amadi, said the inauguration was targeted at fostering a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the host communities.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Sunday Akpoduado, Amadi said Belemaoil was not only poised to seamlessly integrate the oil bearing communities into the value chain, but comprehensively address their developmental needs.
In his words, “we want to effectively get in touch with you so that we can understand your needs and be able to attend to them
“As we all know, section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) empowers the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with the responsibility of ensuring a conducive and peaceful environment for all stakeholders within the host communities.
“This is achieved through the implementation of the HCDT Board. Thus, today’s event signifies our unwavering commitment to fulfilling this mandate”.
Commending the representatives of the host communities and other partners for making the event a success, Amadi, however, challenged the host communities to take responsibility of the development of their areas and the nation.
Also speaking, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala .M. Wunti, noted that the HCDT, as established under the PIA 2021, reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring its operations benefit the host communities in tangible and long lasting ways.
Wunti said the inauguration has made history not only for the NNPCL/Belemaoil settlors, but for the entire host communities and the nation at large.
“The PIA provisions ensure the Nigerian Upstream host communities receive direct social and economic benefits from energy operations.
“In NNPC Limited, our vision for social intervention is to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner and deal with the environmental and social impacts occasioned by our activities”, he stated.
Wunti further lauded Belemaoil Producing Ltd for its commitment to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) saying, “we look forward to seeing the intent of the HCDT being actualised for the benefit of the host communities and the nation at large”.
The inauguted Board of Trustees were the Kula Communities Host Community Development Trusts, with Chief David Emineye-Orlu and Datolu Sukubo as Chairman and Secretary; IDM Field Communities Host Community Development Trusts, having Ven. Innocent Karibo and Darego Tamunoprite Fubara as Chairman and Secretary; and the IDA Field Communities Host Community Development Trusts with Owunari Blakk and Mrs Mina Igonikon Abaroiwua as Chairman and Secretary respectively.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
Edun made the call while speaking at the 2025 Fellowship Investiture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, where he reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining ongoing reforms and expanding access to finance as key drivers of economic growth beyond four per cent.
“We all know that monetary policy under Cardoso has stabilised the financial system in a most commendable way. Of course, it is a team effort, and those eye-watering interest rates have to be paid by the fiscal side. But the fight against inflation is one we all have to participate in,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for banks to broaden credit access and finance innovation-driven enterprises that can create jobs for young Nigerians.
“The finance and banking industry has more work to do because we must finance their ideas, deepen the capital and credit markets down to SMEs. They should not have to go to Silicon Valley,” he said.
The minister who described the private sector as the engine of growth, said the government’s reform agenda aims to create an enabling environment where businesses can thrive, access funding, and contribute meaningfully to job creation.
The facility, known as the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (P512892), is a Development Policy Financing (DPF) operation scheduled for World Bank Board consideration on December 16, 2025.
According to the Bank’s concept note , the financing would comprise $500m in International Development Association (IDA) credit and $500m in International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan.
If approved, it would be the second-largest single loan Nigeria has received from the World Bank under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following the $1.5 billion facility granted in June 2024 under the Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation (RESET) initiative.
The World Bank said the new programme aims to support Nigeria’s shift from short-term macroeconomic stabilisation to sustainable, private sector–led growth.
“The proposed Development Policy Financing (DPF) supports Nigeria’s pivot from stabilization to inclusive growth and job creation. Structured as a two-tranche standalone operation of US$1.0 billion (US$500 million IDA credit and US$500 million IBRD loan), it seeks to catalyse private sector–led investment by expanding access to credit, deepening capital markets and digital services, easing inflationary pressures, and promoting export diversification,” the document read.
The document further stated that Nigeria’s private sector credit-to-GDP ratio stood at only 21.3 per cent in 2024, significantly below that of emerging-market peers, while capital markets remain shallow, with sovereign securities dominating the bond market.
To address these weaknesses, the DPF will support the implementation of the Investment and Securities Act 2025, operationalisation of credit-enhancement facilities, and introduction of a comprehensive Central Bank of Nigeria rulebook to strengthen risk-based regulation and consumer protection.
The operation also includes measures to deepen digital inclusion through the passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, which will establish a legal framework for electronic transactions, authentication services, and digital records.
Beyond the financial and digital sectors, the programme targets reforms to lower production and living costs by tackling Nigeria’s restrictive trade regime. High tariffs and import bans have long driven up consumer prices and constrained competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers and farmers.
Under the proposed reforms, Nigeria would adopt AfCFTA tariff concessions, rationalise import restrictions, and simplify agricultural seed certification to increase the supply of high-quality varieties for maize, rice, and soybeans. The World Bank projects that these measures will help reduce food inflation, attract private investment, and enhance export potential.
The operation is part of a broader World Bank FY26 package that includes three complementary projects—Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs (FINCLUDE), Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE), and Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW)—all focused on expanding access to finance, strengthening institutions, and mobilising private capital.