Joel Ajayi 

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigeria’s oil-producing host communities, warning that operators and institutions responsible for delivering benefits from the nation’s natural resources will be held accountable.

The Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, gave the assurance on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during an investigative hearing conducted by the Commission’s Investment Monitoring Committee into the operations of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) and the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The hearing was held at the new Boardroom of the Commission’s headquarters.Describing the investigation as an important national service and a critical responsibility, Shehu commended members of the Investment Monitoring Committee for their diligence and urged them to remain resolute in the discharge of their mandate.

He stressed that RMAFC’s constitutional responsibilities demand firm oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s revenue-generating assets.

The Chairman expressed confidence that the investigation would help strengthen public trust in the petroleum sector and ensure that host communities receive the benefits guaranteed to them under the Petroleum Industry Act.

With the Chairman’s charge setting the tone for the proceedings, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr. Ekene Enefe, led an extensive investigation into SEEPCO’s compliance with statutory requirements governing Host Community Development Trusts.

Enefe reaffirmed the Committee’s determination to ensure full compliance with the PIA, stressing that oil-producing communities should not continue to bear the environmental and social consequences of oil exploration without corresponding development.

He declared that the Commission would vigorously pursue its constitutional mandate and ensure that both operators and regulatory institutions fulfil their obligations to host communities and the Federation.

The Committee expressed concern over SEEPCO’s repeated failure to honour invitations to appear before it despite previous engagements.

Enefe warned that the Commission would not tolerate attempts by any operator to evade legitimate regulatory and constitutional oversight.

Addressing the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), he stressed that RMAFC’s constitutional mandate extends to ensuring that every institution within the petroleum value chain effectively discharges its statutory responsibilities.

He subsequently directed NUPRC to address concerns surrounding the Host Community Development Trust established for the affected communities.

“We are going to give you 48 hours to dissolve that host community development trust,” he said.

Enefe also condemned SEEPCO’s alleged failure to meet its obligations to the host communities and issued a firm ultimatum on outstanding payments.

“We are going to write them and we are going to give them an ultimatum to pay up what is owed the host communities,” he stated.

He added that the Committee would conclude its investigation and forward its findings to the appropriate authorities, assuring stakeholders that RMAFC would discharge its constitutional oversight responsibilities without fear or favour.

Earlier, the NUPRC delegation, led by its Director of Host Communities, Mrs. Ufondu Ejiro, presented the regulator’s position on the implementation of Host Community Development Trusts under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Ejiro informed the Committee that the Trust had been duly incorporated, funded and structured in accordance with the law.She explained that NUPRC had received and processed documentation relating to community consultations, governance structures, funding arrangements and Community Development Plans.

She also presented records of contributions made to the Trust and maintained that NUPRC was carrying out its responsibilities within the framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act and the Host Community Development Regulations.

However, counsel representing the affected host communities, Mr. Peter Chukwudi, Esq., disputed several of the submissions by NUPRC.He alleged that the communities did not recognise some of the individuals presented as their representatives and questioned whether adequate consultations had taken place before the constitution of the Host Community Development Trust.

Chukwudi also raised concerns over the level of development in the affected communities despite years of oil production and urged the Committee to thoroughly investigate the grievances of the communities.

Also responding to the NUPRC presentation, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anambra State, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, called for closer collaboration between NUPRC and the Anambra State Government in verifying community representation and monitoring compliance with statutory obligations.

He advocated greater transparency in the computation of statutory contributions, operational expenditure and the implementation of community development projects, stressing that the state government has a responsibility to protect the interests of its oil-producing communities.
The Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, noted an apparent disconnect between the regulator and affected state governments.

He said effective oversight would require closer collaboration and direct engagement with operators, while expressing concern over SEEPCO’s absence from the hearing.He urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the Committee’s investigation.

Similarly, the Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King, questioned the effectiveness of NUPRC’s verification process.

He observed that reliance solely on documents submitted by operators might not be sufficient to establish that genuine consultations had taken place with host communities before their representatives were recognised.The Federal Commissioner representing Jigawa State, Hon. Hauwa Umar Aliyu, called on regulatory agencies to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in carrying out their statutory responsibilities.She stressed that regulators must inspire public confidence by ensuring that the interests of host communities receive equal attention alongside those of operators.

At the end of the extensive deliberations, Enefe assured stakeholders that all submissions and documentary evidence presented before the Committee would be subjected to thorough examination.

He reiterated that the Investment Monitoring Committee would continue its investigation until all relevant facts had been established and appropriate recommendations made in the interest of the Federation and the affected host communities.

Also present at the hearing were Federal Commissioners Hon. Aruviere Egharhevwa (Delta State), Hon. Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, MON (Kaduna State), Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan (Ondo State), and Senator Marafa Bashir Abba (Taraba State); the Secretary to the Commission, Comrade Tosin Adeyanju; and Mrs. Zainab Larai Adamu, Director, Gas and Investment, RMAFC, who serves as Secretary of the Investment Monitoring Committee.

The hearing forms part of RMAFC’s ongoing oversight efforts aimed at strengthening transparency, promoting accountability and ensuring that oil-producing host communities receive the full benefits guaranteed under the Petroleum Industry Act.