Balancing redevelopment with community trust

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹: 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗦𝗥 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 Since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), conversations around corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria’s host communities have taken a necessary turn. What was once an act of goodwill is now a legal and strategic imperative, placing host communities at the center of energy project planning. Some years ago, a multinational oil operator implemented a multi-million-dollar CSR project in a coastal Niger Delta community. Educational facilities were built, potable water systems installed, and vocational training centers launched. On paper, the project was a success. Months later, the boreholes dried up, the centers were abandoned, and community tensions resurfaced. The most valuable resource “𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁"was never extracted. In Akwa Ibom State, Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) is charting a different path. Through its Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), the company is fostering a culture of dialogue, transparency, and inclusion. During a stakeholder session in Uyo, representatives from Mbo and Effiat communities, alongside NUPRC officials, participated as co-creators. Trustee selection, transparency measures, and conflict of interest policies were openly discussed, creating a structure rooted in accountability and mutual respect. Meanwhile, HOSTCOM continues to advocate for an upward review of the 3% PIA allocation, describing it as inadequate for today’s economic reality. They rightly emphasize that without compliance and commitment, even well-meaning policies lose impact. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: ✅ When communities are seen and represented, pipelines move more than crude, they also carry goodwill. And goodwill outlasts oil prices. ✅Trust is a key performance indicator, influencing whether operations thrive or face resistance ✅CSR must evolve into community ownership, driven by sustainable frameworks like the HCDT ✅Communities no longer want handouts—they seek 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹. 𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲. As energy professionals, we must shift from “𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀” to “𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. #LocalContentNG #EnergyForNigeria #HostCommunities #CSR #PIA #OilAndGasNigeria #CommunityEngagement #ESG

Today, I’m excited to kick off a three-part series #ShiftingtheNarrativeonGrassrootsPartnerships The series looks at how we engage with grassroots organizations. Having spent years working directly with communities, I’ve seen how current funding models and partnerships, while well-intentioned, often miss the mark. Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing insights into how we can shift the narrative to create true impact by recognizing the power of grassroots leadership. Let's dive right in to Part One #ReimaginingPartnerships: From Implementers to Co-Creators It’s time to rethink how we see grassroots organizations. Too often, they’re viewed as mere implementers, executing predetermined strategies designed by external actors. But in reality, grassroots organizations are #cocreators of the solutions that best serve their communities. The shift we need is from #transactionalrelationships to #collaborativepartnerships— where grassroots voices not only implement but shape the agenda from the very beginning. The strength of grassroots organizations is deeply rooted in their #livedexperiences. These individuals may not always face the challenges themselves, but they witness and intimately understand the issues their communities confront every day. They know what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t.The problem is that many #traditionalfunding models are rigid—they come with predefined outcomes and inflexible structures that force grassroots organizations to squeeze into boxes they simply don’t fit. What’s being overlooked? #Trust. Imagine a funding model built on #trust, #flexibility, and #longterm commitment, where #grassroots organizations have the #freedom to #adapt and #pivot based on real-time challenges they see on the ground. This would radically shift how we approach community-driven development. Rather than enforcing rigid goals and timelines, funders could focus on building relationships of trust that empower communities to innovate and lead. Grassroots organizations are not just the end of the line in the funding chain. They are #visionaries in their own right. By recognizing them as co-creators, we can foster more #sustainablesolutions that emerge from within communities rather than being imposed from outside. Let’s start reimagining these partnerships—not as charity, but as a #collaborationofequals, rooted in the #dignity and #wisdomoflocalcommunities. I invite you to share your thoughts, tag those working towards similar goals, and help us explore how we can foster more trust-based, community-led partnerships that challenge the status quo. #TrustBasedFunding #CommunityLedChange #GrassrootsLeadership #WomenAndGirls #DevelopmentInnovation #SocialImpact #GlobalSouth #PartnershipForChange #FundingForSolutions #CollaborativeLeadership

𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗕𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 For years, redevelopment projects across Mumbai have been trapped in legal grey zones. In its judgment in the case of 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢 𝘒𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘳 𝘑𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘴. 𝘙𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘫 𝘊𝘏𝘚𝘓 & 𝘖𝘳𝘴., the Bombay High Court has now clarified that the 79A GR guidelines are directory, not mandatory. This means societies can appoint a developer without a tender, provided they ensure majority consent, transparency, and proper documentation. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 This ruling changes the conversation around redevelopment governance. Until now, most societies believed that skipping a tender meant inviting legal trouble. The hesitation was understandable. When the rules are unclear, it feels safer to do nothing. Unfortunately, doing nothing led to ageing buildings, safety risks, and growing frustration among members. Now, the High Court has drawn a line of clarity. The focus shifts from process compliance to decision quality. 𝟭) 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 The ruling will fast-track redevelopment decisions, freeing societies from months of tender procedures. In a city like Mumbai, where every delay adds cost and frustration, that is a major relief. But with freedom comes responsibility. Without the tender process as a safeguard, societies must act with integrity by keeping meetings transparent, recording proceedings (even on video if possible), and ensuring every decision is properly documented and merit-based. Member participation and security must remain at the core of every step. 𝟮) 𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Redevelopment has evolved, and so must its governance. Professional advisors such as PMCs, PMAs, lawyers, and architects now play a crucial role in helping societies function like accountable, well-informed entities. Developers, too, must recalibrate. Trust will now be earned through professional conduct, clear communication, clean paperwork, and transparent execution. A developer’s track record, financial capability, quality standards, and timely delivery are more critical than ever. 𝟯) 𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 This judgment does not weaken discipline; it simplifies it. By treating 79A GR guidelines as advisory, the Court gives societies autonomy while retaining oversight. It is a balanced step forward toward faster, fairer, and more transparent redevelopment in Maharashtra. Redevelopment has always been more than a legal or financial exercise. It is built on trust between residents, developers, and regulators. With the procedural fog lifted by the Bombay High Court, societies now have clarity. The responsibility is theirs to use it wisely, transparently, and in the collective good.

Have you ever felt that redevelopment is unnecessarily complicated and slow? For many society members, it’s not just the paperwork or delays, it’s the emotional and time cost that comes with it. The meetings, follow-ups, and legal uncertainties often drain far more than expected. When a housing society plans redevelopment, they aren’t just giving up buildings, they’re giving up decades of trust, comfort, and routines. So every decision, every signature, feels like a big sacrifice. That’s why for most societies, redevelopment feels like stress, not progress. But here’s something I’ve realised in my work as a lawyer in redevelopment matters: Successful societies don’t just redevelop properties—they redevelop with clarity. They plan with information. They ask the right questions. They don’t rush—they prepare. Let me explain with a simple example: - A society without guidance might spend 3 years just deciding which developer to trust. - Another society, with the right legal and technical advisors, may finalise terms in under 6 months, with safeguards built-in. The rules are the same. But the approach makes all the difference. It’s not about which society is smarter—it’s about which one is better prepared. When societies act only under pressure or developer promises, they end up repeating common mistakes. But when they ask the tough questions early, the process becomes safer, smoother, and structured. Here’s what I remind societies often: ✅ If the offer sounds exciting, ask: “What’s the legal backup?” ✅ If timelines are promised, ask: “What if it’s delayed?” ✅ If the developer is known, ask: “Do they have a proper track record?” Redevelopment isn’t about fast action, it’s about right action. And when done right, redevelopment doesn’t just rebuild homes, it restores trust, improves value, and sets a new foundation for future generations. You stop fearing delay. You start demanding clarity. You stop following noise. You start owning the process. That’s the mindset that doesn’t just change buildings. It changes futures. #redevelopment #housingprojects #legalclarity #societyplanning #realestatelaw #duediligence

Collaboration and alliances among local and state governments, land trusts, for-profit and philanthropic organizations, NGOs, and community groups and leaders are essential to balancing Colorado's needs for development, affordable housing, land preservation, etc. Siloed and loosely coupled missions that aren't intentionally co-designed with community, strategic, inclusive, and continuously assessed will risk perpetuating the same inequalities they seek to solve. "One example can be found in Washington’s Methow Valley, a remarkable ecosystem that hosts a vibrant tourism economy and an all-too-familiar struggle with affordable housing for the people who work there. Rather than sit aside while unfettered development eroded the valley’s natural amenities, a regional conservation collaboration, the Methow Conservancy, took action. They partnered with the Methow Housing Trust to make land available for a new neighborhood of affordable housing for local workers. Land that might otherwise have been developed by a few wealthy homebuilders on large lots is now finding a much more sustainable use, and the community can remain livable for many local families. "Other examples of conservation and amenity trap solutions coming together can be found around the country. In Sandpoint, Idaho, a conservation-led partnership is centering the development of workforce housing in tandem with conservation projects. In Durango, Colorado, a fund reimburses homeowners who build new auxiliary dwellings and rent to local workers. In Norwood, Colorado, donated land, modular home construction, infrastructure subsidized by philanthropies, and a nonprofit developer are increasing the stock of affordable housing. And in McCall, Idaho, deed restrictions (similar to conservation easements that follow properties in perpetuity) are being used to ensure future home buyers are local workers rather than second homeowners." https://lnkd.in/g5ydpWct

Balancing the need for modern, attractive spaces with the preservation of affordable housing is one of the most challenging aspects of urban redevelopment. On one hand, redevelopment can revitalize neighbourhoods, bringing in new businesses, infrastructure, and opportunities. On the other hand, it can lead to gentrification, where rising property values and living costs push out long-standing, lower-income residents who can no longer afford to live in their own communities. The key is finding a middle ground where development benefits all stakeholders. This requires thoughtful planning that includes affordable housing mandates, rent control measures, and community engagement in the decision-making process. Developers and policymakers must work together to ensure that the people who have contributed to the character and culture of these neighbourhoods are not displaced by the very improvements meant to enhance their quality of life. In short, redevelopment should not come at the cost of diversity and inclusivity. By prioritizing affordable housing alongside urban growth, we can create vibrant, mixed-income communities that benefit everyone, not just a privileged few. #RavetkarGroup #AmolRavetkar #Redevelopment #Construction #RealEstate #pune