Foundation unveils platform for coordinated action on development of host communities
By Anita Uzoagba
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has inaugurated a National Multi-Stakeholder Platform to address gaps in Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) governance.
The platform is also meant to support effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act across the Niger Delta.
Anne Ihugba, Manager, Knowledge Management and Communications, PIND Foundation, said this on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ihugba, the project brings communities, regulators, oil companies and civil society together to advance PIA implementation and accountable climate-responsive development.
“Established under PIND’s CONNECT Project in partnership with the Ford Foundation, the platform brings together HCDTs, communities, state governments, regulators, civil society organisations, settlors, petroleum-sector actors and development partners.
“The project is designed to strengthen engagement through structured dialogue, evidence sharing, and coordinated action.
“The platform will focus on practical challenges affecting HCDT governance, regulatory collaboration, transparency, community participation, climate-responsive development planning, conflict sensitivity and evidence-based decision-making,” she said.
She quoted PIND Executive Director, Mr Sam Daibo, as saying that the platform was created to deliver action, not another layer of discussion.
According to Daibo, the CONNECT Project builds on learning from PIND’s Bridges Project and aims to scale tested approaches for community-led development.
“The real test of this platform will be what happens after today, whether stakeholders follow through on agreed priorities, share evidence, resolve issues early and improve development outcomes for host communities.
“PIND will provide the secretariat and technical support, but the platform’s strength will come from the leadership, participation and accountability of its members,” he said.
A board member of PIND, Prof. Obafemi Ajibola, said sustained collaboration would be essential to translate the Petroleum Industry Act’s host-community provisions into stronger institutions and visible development results.
“No institution or stakeholder group can close these gaps alone.
“This platform gives us a shared mechanism to surface challenges, learn across sectors and agree on who will do what and by when, to strengthen trust, accountability and delivery.
“The National MSP will operate through a Plenary, Steering Committee, and time-bound Technical Working Groups,” Ajibola said.
He said that PIND would serve as secretariat, supporting coordination, documentation, and action tracking while the platform’s leadership and members drive agreed priorities.
“State-level engagements and technical reviews will follow as the CONNECT Project advances,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Abdulrahman Kadiri
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