Petralon 54 advances PIA compliance with Dawes-Island Host Community Trust launch
Petralon 54, an indigenous exploration and production company and operator of the Dawes-Island Field in Rivers State, has inaugurated Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) for its host communities, Ogoloma and Koniama (Okochiri and Koniju), in a move that reinforces its compliance with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and its broader commitment to sustainable community development.
The formal inauguration, which took place on October 22 and 23, 2025, in Port Harcourt, marks a major milestone in Petralon 54’s implementation of Section Three of the PIA 2021. The law requires all oil and gas operators to establish HCDTs to ensure host communities directly benefit from petroleum operations while promoting peace, inclusiveness, and long-term prosperity.
The two-day event drew prominent figures from government, industry, and traditional institutions, including Rivers State’s Permanent Secretary for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Ndukwe Patrick; Olatokunbo Karimu, assistant director at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); and Ogechi Opete, deputy director at NUPRC’s Port Harcourt Regional Office, representing the agency’s chief executive, Gbenga Komolafe. Community leaders, women representatives, and chiefs from Okochiri, Koniju, and Ogoloma kingdoms were also in attendance.
Welcoming guests, Ahonsi Unuigbe, founder and CEO of Petralon Energy, the parent company of Petralon 54, stated that the creation of the HCDTs extends beyond legal compliance.
“Instituting the HCDT is not just about fulfilling the requirements of the PIA, but an expression of our ingrained culture of identifying, addressing, and aligning with the aspirations of our stakeholders, especially the communities hosting our operations,” Unuigbe said.
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He added that the initiative represents a commitment to sustainable partnership, empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Echoing this sentiment, Uduakobong Equere, executive director at Petralon 54, said the launch “reflects a shared commitment to progress, equity, and sustainability,” emphasising that the trusts are “designed to ensure that the benefits of oil and gas operations are visible, measurable, and sustainable at the grassroots level.”
In his acceptance speech, Chris Biriowu, chairman of the Okochiri Host Community Development Trust, lauded Petralon 54 for its transparency and community-focused approach.
“I am happy to be part of this process that will bring empowerment to our people and development to our community,” he said. “Petralon 54 has demonstrated integrity and genuine concern for our wellbeing, and we will reciprocate with full cooperation.”
Similarly, Miebaka Tamunopekerebia, chairman of the Ogoloma Host Community Development Trust, described Petralon 54 as “a people-centric organisation committed to partnership and collaboration,” noting that the establishment of the Trust “redefines the relationship between host communities and exploration companies.”
The creation of the Dawes-Island HCDTs represents a tangible step toward embedding the PIA’s vision of shared prosperity and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. Through these trusts, local communities will participate directly in the planning and management of development initiatives financed from a portion of oil companies’ operating expenses.
By prioritising dialogue, inclusion, and transparency, Petralon 54 is positioning itself as a model for indigenous operators navigating Nigeria’s evolving regulatory and social landscape.
“Today’s inauguration isn’t just compliance,” Unuigbe said. “It’s about building a future where business growth and community progress move hand in hand.”
The Dawes-Island HCDT launch underscores Petralon 54’s commitment to aligning operations with the PIA’s objectives, fostering peace, promoting social investment, and ensuring that host communities remain integral partners in Nigeria’s energy future.
