By Christie U. Omonigho
TotalEnergies and its Joint Venture Partners said they have commissioned seven development projects including health care, infrastructure, agriculture, economic empowerment, and human capacity development at the Obagi Oilfield Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) in OML58, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. It commissioning was carried out on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The projects, drawn from the Community Development Plan (CDP) in which 539 projects were identified across 64 host communities according to the French energy firm, was executed under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited and Country Chair Mr. Matthieu Bouyer, said: “The projects with impacts on health, agriculture, livelihood support, human capacity development, economic empowerment, among others, are part of the early fruits of the establishment of the HCDTs under the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA) 2021.
“The establishment of the HCDTs under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 has marked a new era in community engagement – one that places host communities at the centre of development planning and execution.”
He further noted that, “The commissioning of these projects reflects the company’s identity as a responsible multi-energy company committed to enhancing the well-being of its host communities, in alignment with our ‘Sustainable Lever 4: Our Communities’. Through our five levers for sustainable change, we continue to give tangible expression to our broader development strategy as an energy company in transition and committed to the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals as it relates to our host communities.”
Reassuring Nigerians and the Obagi people Mr. Bouyer said: ”We will continue to work with industry stakeholders for effective implementation of the PIA to ensure the sustainable socio-economic development of our host communities and the country at large.”
In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Host Communities, Senator Ben Agadaga described the projects as quite significant, attributing the relative peace in the Niger Delta and the oil and gas sector to the passage of the PIA through which projects like the Obagi HCDT found its footing.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu who Energy Window International (Media) learnt hails from the area had recalled the challenges like poor infrastructure they have faced before the introduction of the Act and the implementations of the projects. And this was while applauding the French major and its partners for paying prompt attention to the letters of the Act. The Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities, Dumnamene Dekor also expressed delight at the efforts of TotalEnergies.
The Executive Commissioner, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC also described the projects as a true representation of accountability and diligence. Capt. John Tonlagha, sat in for the Commissioner.
He said: “This milestone translates to impacts, touching lives and strengthening sustainability. It shows that prioritizing dialogue over conflict is what has made this achievement possible. Sustainable development cannot thrive without support and ownership. Today, you have proven to Nigeria and the world that true progress is best built on foundation of unity and peace”.
Community leaders expressed delight at the initiative which according to them has impacted over 50,000 community residents, directly and indirectly, while calling on the indigenes particularly the youths, to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.