The KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (KHCDT) has partnered with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) to strengthen institutional capacity and promote sustainable, community-led development across its host communities.
The partnership was formalised on Wednesday through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), bringing together KEFFESO HCDT’s community knowledge with PIND’s technical expertise, development experience and partner networks.
Key Highlights
- KEFFESO HCDT and PIND signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support sustainable community development.
- The partnership will focus on institutional capacity building and community-led development.
- Areas of collaboration include vocational training, employment, entrepreneurship and clean-energy solutions.
- KHCDT has completed 20 infrastructure projects since commencing operations in July 2024.
- The Trust has initiated processes for 11 additional projects scheduled for 2026.
- KHCDT serves 11 host communities in the Niger Delta.
- PIND will provide technical advice, programme design support and access to partner networks.
KEFFESO HCDT Signs Partnership With PIND
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman of the KHCDT Board of Trustees, HRH Theophilus Moses, described the partnership as an important step towards strengthening the Trust’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
“We intend to engage with PIND to strengthen our capacity, build collaborative community development programmes and learn from their experience. We want them to direct us aright,” he said.
Moses acknowledged PIND’s contribution to development in the Niger Delta and expressed confidence that the collaboration would support improved programme design, stronger implementation practices and broader opportunities for host communities.
He said KEFFESO HCDT also intends to draw on relevant development experience and networks within and outside Nigeria while adapting practical approaches to the specific needs of its communities.
Partnership Targets Jobs, Enterprise and Clean Energy
Under the MoU, KHCDT and PIND will explore collaboration in technical and vocational training linked to employment and entrepreneurship.
The partnership will also cover clean-energy solutions for households and businesses, as well as knowledge sharing among Host Community Development Trusts.
Both organisations will work towards documenting lessons from development initiatives and using evidence to inform future programmes.
The approach is expected to strengthen the connection between community priorities, development planning and measurable outcomes.
KHCDT, PIND Define Roles
Under the partnership framework, KHCDT will lead the identification of community priorities, stakeholder engagement and community ownership.
PIND, meanwhile, will provide technical advice, programme design support and access to its partner networks.
The organisations said the complementary approach would help ensure that development initiatives respond to local needs while supporting sustainable outcomes.
Speaking at the ceremony, PIND Executive Director, Sam Daibo, stressed the importance of ensuring that development investments reflect the priorities of host communities.
“Host communities need development investments that respond to their priorities and create opportunities that last. By combining KEFFESO’s knowledge of its communities with PIND’s technical experience and partner networks, we can develop practical approaches to employment, enterprise and energy access and share what works with other trusts,” he said.
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KEFFESO HCDT Completes 20 Infrastructure Projects
According to the Trust, KHCDT has completed 20 infrastructure projects across its host communities since commencing operations in July 2024.
The Trust has also initiated processes for 11 additional projects scheduled for 2026.
The new partnership with PIND builds on these activities and complements support provided by the Trust’s settlor, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), and its technical consultant, Rex and Rhema Consulting Limited.
KHCDT Serves 11 Host Communities
Established under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, KHCDT serves 11 host communities in the Niger Delta.
The communities are Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Foropa, Fishtown, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu-Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu and Oginibiri.
KHCDT is the Host Community Development Trust of the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P Joint Venture, which operates PML 53 and PML 54.
Partnership to Promote Sustainable Community Development
The partnership between KEFFESO HCDT and PIND is aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration, inclusive development and community ownership.
By combining local community knowledge with technical development expertise, the organisations intend to support programmes focused on employment, enterprise, energy access and other priorities identified by host communities.
The collaboration is also expected to provide lessons and practical approaches that can contribute to knowledge sharing among other Host Community Development Trusts in the Niger Delta.
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