BOPANE Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) has commissioned two landmark community development projects in Finima, Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State, while simultaneously flagging off two additional projects in what stakeholders described as a significant milestone in sustainable host community development under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The newly inaugurated projects, the Buo-Nungo Playground and the Owu-Ogbo House, were unveiled at a colourful ceremony attended by traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders and residents, who applauded the Trust’s commitment to improving the quality of life in oil-producing communities.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of BOPANE HCDT, Mr. Samson Agba, said the event transcended the commissioning of physical infrastructure, describing it as a celebration of a shared commitment to sustainable development, cultural preservation and partnership.
According to him, the Trust was established under the Petroleum Industry Act with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited as the Settlor to serve host communities in Bonny, Opobo-Nkoro and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State, as well as Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Agba said the Trust was designed to respond to the genuine aspirations of host communities through impactful projects and programmes that deliver lasting value.
“Today’s commissioning is a practical demonstration of that vision. It is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, traditional institutions, our Settlor and the Trust work together with a shared commitment to sustainable development,” he said.
He disclosed that the Trust has installed more than 1,000 solar-powered streetlights across 50 communities, distributed fibre fishing gears and safety jackets to fishermen, and embarked on the construction of modern guest houses to stimulate local economic growth.
Other completed interventions, he said, include the renovation of community town halls, construction of public conveniences, rehabilitation of water supply systems, establishment of sachet water factories and installation of solar-powered boreholes fitted with water treatment facilities.
“We have deliberately pursued projects that create lasting social, economic and educational value while preserving the dignity and cultural heritage of our people,” Agba stated.
On human capital development, he revealed that the Trust had awarded scholarships to over 203 undergraduate and 28 postgraduate students, while nearly 300 youths are undergoing vocational training in fashion design, catering and hospitality.
“The greatest legacy we can build is not merely in concrete and steel, but in the opportunities we create, the lives we transform, the culture we preserve and the hope we inspire,” he added.
Agba also announced the commencement of two additional projects in Finima—a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) lodge and a waste management facility—which, according to him, will further strengthen infrastructure and improve environmental sustainability within the community.
He commended TotalEnergies for its commitment to the implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust framework and lauded the people of Finima for their cooperation throughout the execution of the projects.
Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, who commissioned the projects, described the Owu-Ogbo House as one of the finest cultural edifices in Bonny Kingdom.
“I make bold to say that the Finima Opobo House is the most beautiful Opobo House in Bonny Kingdom,” he declared.
Pepple also praised the leadership of Finima Community and TotalEnergies for ensuring accountability and transparency in the utilisation of development funds.
“Community leaders can decide to pocket the funds and nothing would have been seen on the ground. But to show you that you have a leadership that is accountable to the people, that is why you are seeing transparent development,” he said.
The council chairman announced that the local government would soon commence the construction of a Women Development Centre in Finima, while plans were also underway to build a modern fire station to further enhance public infrastructure in the community.
Amadabo of Finima and Head of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House, His Royal Highness Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown, commended TotalEnergies for what he described as full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act and the regulatory framework governing host community development.
“The difference between before and now is clear—so clear that even the blind and the deaf can feel it,” the monarch remarked.
He urged other oil and gas companies operating in Bonny Kingdom, particularly Shell and Mobil, to emulate TotalEnergies by faithfully implementing the Host Communities Development Trust provisions of the PIA.
Brown said the proposed NYSC lodge would encourage more corps members to serve in schools and healthcare facilities within the community, while the waste management facility would create employment opportunities through recycling and transform Finima into an emerging environmental management hub.
“When communities benefit, the kingdom grows. Growth is always from the bottom up,” he said, adding that a management committee would be constituted to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the newly commissioned facilities.
