WorldStage– The NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has intensified efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in host community project execution by training community vendors and stakeholders on procurement governance and contract management processes under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).
The capacity-building workshop, held in Sapele, Delta State, brought together members of the Boards of Trustees (BOTs), Management Committees (MCs), and Advisory Committees (ACs) of the Akugbe, Ekugbe and Ethiope Host Community Development Trusts, alongside representatives of NEPL, Seplat Energy, traditional rulers and other community stakeholders.
The one-day sensitisation programme was designed to evaluate the implementation of approved HCDT contracting procedures while reinforcing compliance with procurement governance requirements to ensure greater transparency in the execution of community development projects.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Seplat Energy’s General Manager, Category Management – Asset/Operations, Procurement and Nigerian Content, Mrs. Blessing Adagbasa, said the initiative was aimed at deepening stakeholders’ understanding of procurement processes and promoting ethical contracting practices.
According to her, the workshop focused on raising awareness of procurement risks, ethical considerations and red flags that could undermine the integrity of the contracting process, while also highlighting key procurement controls, documentation requirements and governance checkpoints applicable to the HCDTs.
Participants were taken through the entire HCDT contracting lifecycle, including project planning and approvals, vendor registration, bidder selection, contract award and execution, project monitoring, payment approvals, conflict-of-interest management and fraud prevention.
The Lead, Strategy and Planning, Community Relations at NEPL, Mr. Olubukonl Oyegbami, described the workshop as a timely initiative that would strengthen compliance and enhance transparency in the management of HCDT contracts.
He said the programme would provide greater clarity for stakeholders and help ensure that community development projects are implemented in line with the priority needs identified by host communities.
Also speaking, the representative of the Oba of Benin’s Palace on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Akugbe HCDT, Chief George Igie Ekhator, commended Seplat Energy for promoting transparency, accountability and sustained collaboration with host communities.
Stakeholders at the workshop called for regular engagement and wider sensitisation of community vendors to ensure effective implementation of procurement procedures and other governance processes across the Host Community Development Trusts.
