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By Chinenye Anuforo
Host communities of Halkin Exploration and Production Limited’s Atala Petroleum Mining Licence (PML) 105 in Bayelsa State have commended the company for its sustained investment in infrastructure and other development projects.
The communities, comprising Azagbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area and Ezetu in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, said the company’s interventions had impacted positively on residents and strengthened its relationship with the host communities.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Azagbene and Ezetu Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), Chief Idani Ebibomene, commended the Chairman of Halkin E&P, Otunba Babatunde Morakinyo, for what he described as the company’s commitment to community development.
Ebibomene said Halkin E&P had executed a number of projects across the communities, including the installation of solar streetlights, renovation of the community town hall and guest house, construction of public toilets and market stalls, as well as a community stadium and school buildings.
He also listed the provision of educational materials for students among the company’s interventions, saying the projects were addressing some of the critical needs of the host communities.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the HCDT Board of Trustees, Chief Fawari Tokowei, described Halkin E&P as a valued partner to Ezetu community.
Tokowei particularly commended the company’s ongoing water development project, saying its completion would provide relief to residents and improve access to water in the community.
The community leaders stressed the importance of sustained investment in basic infrastructure and other development initiatives in oil-producing communities.
Halkin E&P said its community development initiatives were aligned with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, particularly the provision for host communities to benefit more directly from petroleum operations through structured development programmes.
Responding to the commendation, Morakinyo said the company would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of people in its host communities.
“With the special grace of God, Halkin will continue to add value to the country, and will always focus on projects that will improve livelihoods in the host communities,” he said.
