RMAFC asks oil companies to step up CSR to host communities

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has urged oil companies to show commitment towards the implementation of the corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to their host communities.

Mohammed Shehu, chairman of the commission, gave the charge during a mediatory meeting between Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), Orient Petroleum and their host communities in Anambra state.

According to a statement on Saturday, Maryam Yusuf, RMAFC head, information and public relations unit, said the meeting was witnessed by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Friday at the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.

Shehu emphasised that RMAFC remains committed to ensuring that oil companies operating in Nigeria fulfil their CSR to host communities, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He noted that the meeting was convened following allegations of neglect by host communities against the oil companies and assured that the commission would remain impartial in carrying out its role as mediator.

“This Commission will always stand for transparency and fairness. We expect oil companies to meet their obligations to the people in whose communities they operate,” he said.

In his remarks, Ekene Enefe, chairman of the investment monitoring committee (IMC) in the commission, who later presided over the meeting, expressed displeasure with SEEPCO’s performance in meeting community development obligations.

“Based on the facts before us with regard to CSR, what we see here is not satisfactory. SEEPCO still has a lot of  jobs to do, and we would like to see real projects on the ground — roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, and jobs for the people in the host communities,” he said.

“This is the result we expect from the deductions made from operational costs.”

The IMC chairman further instructed SEEPCO to submit to the commission, audited reports of its 3 percent host community expenditure since the implementation of the PIA.

He added that the commission would conduct oversight visits to verify compliance.

“We would like to tally the projects executed with the reported deductions. Our committee will not hesitate to exercise its oversight function to ensure that host communities benefit as the law demands,” Enefe said.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities, Ogwu Ikpele and Ogwu Aniocha in Anambra state, Esumai Patrick, leader of the delegation, lamented years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.

“Our people live without good roads, schools, or hospitals while companies drill oil on our land. We welcome investment, but what we ask is fairness,” he said.

“We want to see electricity, jobs for our youths, and real development projects that will touch lives in our communities.”

On the regulatory front, Enorense Amadasu, executive commissioner, development and production at NUPRC, assured that the regulator was closely monitoring the companies.

Amadasu said the commission was reconciling their metering systems and ensuring that statutory obligations to the federation are met.