TotalEnergies Incorporates HCDTs,  Urges Community Development 

TotalEnergies has fully incorporated and funded five Host Communities Development Trusts(HCDT) with a call on them to prioritize the development of their communities.

The incorporated trustees are Obagi Oilfields Host Communities Development Trust, Olo Oilfields Host Communities Trust, BOPANE Oilfields Host Communities Development Trust, NOPL Host Communities Development Trust and PortHarcourt Host Communities Development Trust.

Presenting his Address at the Closing Ceremony of the Capacity Building Training for Members of TotalEnergies Host Communities’ Development Trusts, held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Stadium Road, PortHarcourt, at the Weekend, the Managing Director, TotalEnergies, Matthieu Bouyer, noted that the company, in line with the mandate of the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA), set up the HCDTs to further deliver on its social responsibility to its operational areas.

Represented by the Executive Director, Joint Venture(JV) Assets, TotalEnergies, Obi Imemba, Bouyer said that the company had despite the challenges played it’s part  by not just setting up the HCDTs but training the members on the operationalization of the Trust and stressed the need for the HCDTs to rise up to the next level of action.

Bouyer said “being a first- of- its -kind in the industry,  operationalizing the requirements of the Act with respect to the Trust has been quite a challenging process. However, today, we are proud to declare that we have fully incorporated and funded five Host Communities Development Trusts.

“Having concluded this training, you will henceforth take over the management of all sustainable community development projects and programmes, in line with the PIA.

“It is a popular axiom that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. I would like to reiterate that you have been entrusted with not only the responsibilities to drive the developmental agenda of your communities, but you also have the responsibility to ensure the safeguarding of TotalEnergies facilities and operations within your communities.

“You are expected to guard your communities and groups against needless antagonism, confrontation and blockage of TotalEnergies’ operational sites and locations as failing to do so may lead to dire sanctions, in line with the PIA”.

While noting the calibre of the members of the Board of Trustees(BoT) and management and Advisory committees as well as the development agenda already articulated in the Community Development Plan(CDP), Bouyer expressed confidence that the HCDTs would achieve their set goals.

The TotalEnergies boss further commended it’s partners, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Regulators, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission(NUPRC) for their support and collaboration through the entire process of the operationalization of the Host Community Development Trusts .

Lady Godknows Ogbulu