The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust (KEFFESO HCDT) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote youth employment, clean energy and sustainable livelihoods across 11 host communities in Bayelsa State.
The partnership combines KEFFESO HCDT’s community development mandate with PIND’s expertise in enterprise development, energy access, peacebuilding and partnership building across the Niger Delta.
The initiatives under the agreement will align with KEFFESO HCDT’s approved five-year Community Development Plan.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, PIND’s Executive Director, Mr Sam Ogbemi Daibo, said the partnership would support development investments that respond to 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.
Chairman of the KEFFESO HCDT Board of Trustees, HRH Chief Theophilus Moses, said the agreement would enable the Trust to strengthen its existing development initiatives.
‘Our communities must remain at the centre of every decision we make. This agreement gives us an opportunity to connect our development plan with new expertise and partnerships, while strengthening community participation and ownership of the results,’ he said.
Since commencing operations in July 2024, KEFFESO HCDT has completed 20 infrastructure projects across its host communities and commenced processes for 11 additional projects scheduled for 2026.
Under the MoU, the organisations will explore technical and vocational training linked to employment and entrepreneurship, clean-energy solutions for households and businesses, as well as a knowledge-sharing platform for Host Community Development Trusts.
They will also document lessons from the initiatives and use evidence to guide future community development programmes.
KEFFESO HCDT will lead on identifying community priorities, engagement and ownership, while PIND will provide technical advice, programme design support and access to its partner networks.
The partnership will complement support already provided to KEFFESO HCDT by its settlor, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E and P), and its technical consultant, Rex and Rhema Consulting Limited.
KEFFESO HCDT was established under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, which provides for Host Community Development Trusts to plan and implement development initiatives in petroleum host communities.