The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has ordered the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to dissolve a disputed Host Community Development Trust within 48 hours, following allegations that it was established without proper consultation with the affected oil-producing communities.

The order was issued during an investigative hearing in Abuja into the operations of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) and the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Speaking at the hearing, RMAFC Chairman Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu said the Commission would continue to protect the interests of oil-producing host communities and ensure they receive the benefits guaranteed to them under the law.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Commission’s Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar Yusuf, Dr Shehu described the investigation as a national assignment aimed at promoting accountability in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.

He said the Commission would continue to strengthen its oversight of oil companies and government institutions responsible for implementing the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, adding that transparency and accountability remain essential to protecting national revenue and restoring public confidence in the petroleum sector.

Dr Shehu commended members of the Commission’s Investment Monitoring Committee for their work and expressed optimism that the investigation would help ensure that host communities receive the full benefits provided for under the Petroleum Industry Act.

The Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr Ekene Enefe, led the investigation into SEEPCO’s compliance with the law establishing Host Community Development Trusts.

He said the era in which oil-producing communities endured environmental degradation and social hardship without corresponding development must end.

According to him, both petroleum operators and regulatory agencies must fully fulfil their legal responsibilities to affected communities.

The Committee also expressed concern about SEEPCO’s repeated failure to honour invitations to appear before it, despite earlier engagements.

Dr. Enefe warned that no operator would be allowed to evade legitimate oversight by the Commission.

Addressing officials of the NUPRC, he said RMAFC’s constitutional responsibility requires it to hold every institution in the petroleum industry accountable for the proper discharge of its duties.

He then issued a direct order to the regulator, saying: “We are going to give you 48 hours to dissolve that host community development trust.”

Dr. Enefe also faulted SEEPCO for what he described as its failure to meet obligations owed to host communities.

He said the company would receive a formal notice directing it to settle all outstanding obligations. “We are going to write them, and we are going to give them an ultimatum to pay up what is owed the host communities,” he said.

Enefe added that after completing its investigation, the Committee would forward its findings and recommendations to the appropriate authorities, insisting that the Commission would carry out its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.

Earlier, the NUPRC delegation, led by the Director of Host Communities, Mrs. Ufondu Ejiro, defended the Commission’s handling of the Host Community Development Trust.

She told the Committee that the trust had been legally incorporated, properly funded and established in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to her, the Commission received and reviewed documents covering community consultations, governance arrangements, funding plans and Community Development Plans before approving the trust.

She also presented records of contributions to the trust and maintained that the regulator had carried out its responsibilities in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act and the Host Community Development Regulations.

However, the affected host communities rejected the regulator’s position. Speaking on their behalf, legal representative Mr. Peter Chukwudi argued that several individuals presented as community representatives were not recognised by the affected communities.

He also disputed claims that adequate consultations had taken place before the trust was established.

Chukwudi questioned the level of development in the oil-producing communities despite years of petroleum exploration and urged the Committee to thoroughly investigate the issues raised by residents.

Also speaking, the Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, called for stronger cooperation between the NUPRC and the Anambra State Government in verifying genuine community representatives and monitoring compliance with legal obligations.

He also called for greater openness in the calculation of statutory contributions, operational expenditure and the execution of community development projects, saying the state government has a responsibility to protect the interests of its oil-producing communities.

The Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, said there appeared to be a communication gap between the regulator and state governments, adding that closer cooperation would improve oversight of petroleum operations.

He also expressed disappointment at SEEPCO’s absence from the hearing and urged all parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

The Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Abdulazeez Idris King, questioned whether documents submitted by operators alone were sufficient to confirm that genuine consultations had taken place before community representatives were recognised.

Similarly, the Federal Commissioner representing Jigawa State, Hauwa Umar Aliyu, called on regulatory agencies to maintain professionalism, fairness and impartiality while carrying out their statutory duties.

She said regulators must inspire public confidence by giving equal attention to the interests of host communities as well as those of oil companies.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Enefe assured all stakeholders that every submission and documentary evidence presented before the Committee would be carefully examined before recommendations are made.

He said the Committee would continue its work until all relevant facts had been established, adding that the investigation forms part of RMAFC’s broader efforts to improve transparency, strengthen accountability and ensure that oil-producing communities receive the benefits guaranteed to them under the Petroleum Industry Act. (The Nation)