PIA: CSO Demands Transparency In Fund Management

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has warned members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) saddled with the responsibility of managing the Host Community Development Trust Funds (HCDTF) against fraud and corruption.

In Akwa Ibom State, LEADERSHIP learnt that some local government areas – Eket Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Esit Eket (EMOIMEE), have been grouped to benefit from the three percent derivation funds under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Therefore, the CHRAN, after an assessment tour of some ongoing projects in Mkpat Enin LGA, has warned against financial profligacy and charged the fund managers to ensure the cash is spent on specific projects in education, rural electrification, health, social, and empowerment in line with the PIA mandate.
Addressing journalists at the end of the fact – finding tour, the executive director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, explained that the action became necessary in order to ensure the funds allocated to the HCDTF were effectively utilised, and to guard against misappropriation.

“CHRAN led a team of journalists on a tour of life enhancement projects executed by Seplat Energy under EMOIMEE in Mkpat Enin LGA. The team was conducted round various sites,” he explained.

He listed some of the projects to include classroom blocks, and Assembly Hall, perimeter fencing and gate house, offices and ICT/library, modern toilet, construction of new two -bedroom flat, staff quarters and others at Qua Iboe Church (QIC) Primary School, Ikot Obio Ndoho community.

“EMOIMEE, is a Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) established by Seplat Energy, the new owners of the Mobil Producing Nigeria, for the oil-producing LGAs of Eket, Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Esit Eket, in July 2023 under the PIA, in 2021 to fund community development projects, enhance skill acquisition of the people and support their educational advancement,” he recalled.

Giving the BoT a pass mark, CHRAN noted that “two years of existence, EMOIMEE in Mkpat Enin LGA led by Engr. Sunny Udo, Rev. Obot Ekanem and Mr. innocent Idem, among others has exhibited the tendency to transparency and accountability in the distribution of projects, selection of contractors and projects execution in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

He noted that “the toilet facility built in each of the locations visited, were constructed in line with the WASH policy of the state government to promote standard sanitation and hygiene as the state moves towards ensuring Open Defecation Free (ODF) environment by 2030 targeted year.

“As a good governance civil society advocacy group, we embark on this tour today because we owe a responsibility of holding institutions accountable to the people, and EMOIMEE, is a public institution being used by Seplat Energy to execute life touching projects for its oil bearing host community including Mkpat Enin,” he stressed.

On behalf of the management Committee of EMOIMEE, Rev. Obot Ekanem, who led the team, assured of timely completion of all the projects and delivery to the affected communities.