The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has launched a regional awareness campaign to help host communities fully understand and benefit from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The campaign, which began in Warri, Delta State, is part of PIND’s Bridges Project and will run from September 25 to October 7, 2025, across five oil-producing states—Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Rivers. It is designed to close knowledge gaps, strengthen transparency, and empower communities to engage meaningfully with the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework introduced under the Act.Harnessing the Power of Awareness
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Chuks Ofulue, PIND’s Advocacy Manager, stressed the importance of knowledge in effective community participation.
“The PIA is not just legislation; it is a pathway for communities to take charge of their future. But laws only work when people understand them. Through this campaign, we are breaking the Act into practical, community-friendly knowledge and giving people the confidence to engage, ask the right questions, and hold stakeholders accountable.”
Signed into law in 2021, the PIA introduced Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) as mechanisms to channel oil and gas benefits directly to host communities. However, limited grassroots understanding has slowed effective implementation. The Bridges Project directly addresses this gap by ensuring that communities know their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities under the law.Advancing the PIA: What the Campaign Delivers
Over two weeks, the campaign will feature:
● Roadshows, town hall meetings, and media outreach across the five states.
● Interactive sessions that simplify technical aspects of the PIA into practical guidance.
● Opportunities for communities to discuss implementation challenges and solutions with stakeholders.
Community leaders are already recognizing its value. In Warri, Mr. Charles Anamati, Chairman of the Egboama HCDT Board of Trustees and member of PIND’s Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP), noted: “For years, our communities heard about the PIA but didn’t fully grasp what it meant for us. What PIND is doing today changes that. Now, we understand our role, our rights, and how to generate real benefits for our people.”
Built on the Bridges Project
The awareness drive builds on progress from the Bridges Project, launched by PIND in 2022 with support from the Ford Foundation, which has already:
● Trained over 50 NGOs and CSOs on the PIA and HCDT governance.
● Convened regional workshops to align community and settlor perspectives.
● Established a Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) that is now a recognized model for dialogue, collaboration, and transparency.Early Outcomes and Next Steps
The campaign is already achieving measurable results:
● Increased grassroots understanding of the PIA and its benefits.
● Stronger community capacity to demand transparency and accountability.
● Inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in governance discussions.
● Closer collaboration between settlors, government, and communities.
● Practical tools to ensure HCDTs reflect community priorities.
By its close on October 7, 2025, the campaign will have engaged thousands of stakeholders across the Niger Delta, leaving communities better positioned to take ownership of their development.
With this initiative, PIND is helping to transform the PIA from policy on paper into a driver of peace, prosperity, and sustainable growth in host communities.
