Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday announced that it presided over the formal handover of the OLO Oilfield Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) from TotalEnergies to Aradel Holdings Plc.
A statement in Abuja by the commission’s Head, Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, said the development marked a milestone in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the NUPRC’s commitment to protecting host community interests during operator transitions.
The ceremony, which held at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, according to the statement, brought together senior officials from the commission, TotalEnergies, Aradel Holdings, and representatives of the OLO host community to formally complete the transfer of settlor responsibilities under the trust, ensuring that community development work already underway continues without interruption.
“The OLO HCDT was established in line with the PIA’s mandate requiring operators to contribute 3 per cent of their operating expenditure of the previous year toward host community development.
“Between 2023 and 2025, the trust has enabled the completion of more than 100 community projects, spanning water supply, electricity, road infrastructure, education, and healthcare with a further 40 projects currently ongoing. Taken together, these initiatives have directly improved the lives of over 25,000 residents across the host communities,” the NUPRC added.
TotalEnergies had earlier operated the Olo/Olo West Marginal field within the former OML 58, in the Eastern Niger Delta until it was acquired by Aradel Holdings. The transfer of settlor responsibilities for the OLO HCDT from TotalEnergies to Aradel is therefore a natural and legally required step.
The commission stated that TotalEnergies confirmed that all obligations up to the date of transfer have been fully met, and no outstanding liabilities remain. Aradel, it said, formally assumes full responsibility going forward, with the commission’s regulatory consent granted.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, for Health, Safety, Environment, and Community (HSEC), Capt. John Tonlagha, said the Olo Oil Field HCDT remains intact, its governance structure preserved and its statutory funding obligations transitioning seamlessly to the new settlor as envisioned by the PIA.
He maintained that the commission will continue to provide firm and consistent oversight to ensure full compliance with the PIA for the benefit of both the communities and the industry.
In his remarks, General Manager, Community Affairs, Projects and Development at TotalEnergies, Dornu Kogam, encouraged Aradel Holdings to maintain the same transparent, community-centred approach throughout project completion.
Responding, the Community Affairs Manager, Aradel Holdings Plc. Mr. Blessyn Okpowo, affirmed the company’s commitment to honouring all PIA obligations and continuing Total Energies’ community engagement approach.
“We want to say that in line with the PIA, we will honour commitments and duties required of the settlor and we want to work very smoothly with the way TotalEnergies has worked with them,” he stated.
Chairman, Board of Trustees, OLO host community, Mr. Wale Godwin, commended the HCDT’s delivery of 118 projects out of 160 planned. He recognised the commission’s role in approving the Community Development Plan (CDP) before project commencement, underscoring regulatory excellence.
