Ex-Militants Demand Anti-graft Probe Of Host Community Development Trust Funds

A coalition of former Niger Delta agitators (ex – militants) have expressed concern over the alleged discrepancies in the management of the 3 percent oil proceeds from the oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom State, noting that such funds are not commensurate with the development programmes in the host communities.

The angry former freedom fighters, therefore, urged the anti-graft agencies in the country to commence probe of the finances allocated to the Board of Trustees (BoTs) of the Host Community Development Trust Funds (HCDT).

According to the former agitators, the HCDTs set up under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to manage the 3 per cent funds from oil firms, have not lived up to their expectations of impacting positively on host communities.

The coalition stated their position in a communique after a joint meeting held in Uyo, the State including the Akwa Ibom Revolutionary Council (AIRC); Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV); Niger Delta Watchdogs (NDW); Niger Delta Republic Fighters (NDRF), and Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum (AEMF) and other affiliate groups.

In the communique jointly signed by General Nsa Ikpaisong, General John Duku, and others, the ex-agitators alleged that over ₦60 billion has been officially disbursed by the NNPC/MPN Joint Ventures, to Eket, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Esit Eket (EMOIMEE), the core seven oil bearing local government areas since 2021.

“We state unmistakably that the hardship faced by our people particularly youths,
farmers, fishermen, and ex-militant has worsened despite the establishment of the PIA in 2021, and the much-publicised HCDT funds.

“It is important to state clearly that the PIA 2021, as currently implemented, has become a grand deception and silencing tool against the Akwa Ibom people.

“While the law prescribes that oil companies contribute 3 per cent of their income to the Funds, this provision has been weaponised to abandon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and shield oil companies from their moral and historical obligations to host communities.

“We hereby give the OICs and HCDTs one-month to address the issue of marginalisation, fraud, deliberate abandonment and injustice against ex-militants, fishermen, farmers and immediate oil producing host communities,” the statement stated in part.

The former agitators also kicked against the casualisation of workers by multinational oil companies, describing the practice as modern day slavery.

“It has also come to our knowledge that oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom State continue to treat Akwa Ibom indigenes as third-class citizens, employing them as casual or contract workers with poor wages, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate PPE while workers from other states are treated as full staff with dignity and benefits,” the statement stated further.