EMOIMEE HCDT Empowers 80 Esit Eket Indigenes With Fish and Poultry Farming Training
By Daniel Edon
The NNPC/SEPLAT JV EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust has concluded the training of 80 indigenes of Esit Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State in fish and poultry farming, as part of its economic empowerment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
The three-week training, which was conducted by Nwaetuk Farms Limited, Eket, aimed to equip the beneficiaries with the necessary skills to start their own businesses in the agricultural sector. Each trainee will receive a grant of N1 million to support their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Speaking at the end of the training, Mr Uwana Evans, a management staff member of the Esit Eket-HCDT, expressed appreciation to the trainer and the trainees for their commitment to the program. He emphasised that the Trust will continue to provide training and support to improve the economic well-being of the community.
“The training is designed to empower our people with the skills and knowledge necessary to start their own businesses and contribute to the local economy,” Evans said. “We are committed to ensuring that our programs are tailored to meet the needs of our community and make a positive impact on their lives.”
Evans observed that some people, for reasons best known to them, refused to turn up for the training and may later want to be paid the grant. He warned that only those who attended the training with at least 95% attendance will be eligible for the one million Naira grant, stressing that the Trust is committed to ensuring that the funds are used judiciously. “If you are not trained, it therefore means that you will not be able to do the business; therefore, no money would be wasted on you,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Obongawan Princess God’sown Udoito, expressed gratitude to EMOIMEE for the opportunity, noting that the grant will help them start their own businesses. She, however, called on the authority to involve more women in further training.
“I am grateful to EMOIMEE for this opportunity,” Udoito said. “The training has given me the confidence and skills to start my own business and contribute to the local economy.”
Mr Innocent Ntia, President of People Living With Disabilities, PLWD, Esit Eket chapter, also appreciated the Trust for including persons with disabilities in the program. He was full of praise for the Board Chairman of Esit-Eket HCDT, Mkpisóng Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, KJW, whom he referred to as a listening and caring father.
Recalled that some months ago, people living with disabilities organised a peaceful protest to drive home their demands for inclusion in Emoimee programs. Today, some of their demands have been taken care of. Out of 80 trainees, 40 are persons living with disabilities: 20 for Poultry farm training and 20 for Fish farming training.
The trainees pledged to make good use of the training and the grant to build viable careers and contribute positively to the local economy of Esit Eket and Akwa Ibom State.
The EMOIMEE HCDT has been working to improve the lives of the people of Esit Eket and other communities in Akwa Ibom State through various initiatives, including scholarship, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs.
The EMOIMEE HCDT is a trust established to promote the development of the host communities of the NNPC/SEPLAT JV. The Trust is committed to providing economic empowerment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the people of Esit Eket and other oil communities in Akwa Ibom State.
