Minister Lauds NEPL, NOSL For Robust Relationships With Host Communities

The minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, has lauded Nigeria National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Natural Oilfield Services Limited (NOSL) for maintaining robust relationships with their host communities.

The minister during an official visit to OML-13, the operational base of NEPL and NOSL in Akwa Ibom State, expressed satisfaction with the company’s strong ties with the communities, which he noted, have fostered peaceful oil and gas operations.

He, therefore, urged NEPL and NOSL to expedite action in the establishment and implementation of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF), as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act 2022.

According to Ekpo, “the project will facilitate the extension of power supply from the flow station to the communities, so that they can experience the positive impact of the company.”

The minister noted that the operations of NEPL and NOSL would enhance the country’s gas production capacity, assuring that the federal government was ready to support the company in achieving its production targets.

Responding, the management of the NEPL-NOSL, disclosed that the company, has a production facilities with a capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 90 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, targetting to reach its full production potential before the end of the year.

“We consider our host communities as critical partners, and we have given utmost attention to our community development projects (CDP). Our priority is to ensure our communities are positively impacted by being involved in our day-to-day operations,” he explained.

The management added that the company has executed several programmes and projects that have directly improved the lives and living standards of the host communities, with many more projects in the pipeline.