The NNPC/SEPNU JV Ibeno Host Community Development Trust has commissioned a number of development projects and unveiled fresh empowerment initiatives in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The intervention projects were unveiled during the Trust’s Second Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Ulok Ulok Hall, Upenekang in Ibeno LGA, under the theme “Lighting the Path to Prosperity: The Ibeno HCDT Story”.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, government officials, regulators, Seplat Energy, community leaders, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to review the Trust’s activities for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
Speaking at the AGM, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong, said the Trust had transformed development promises into measurable achievements across Ibeno, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, electricity, skills acquisition, agriculture, maritime activities, and small-business development.
Ekpenyong said the Trust’s interventions had strengthened infrastructure, empowered communities, built capacity, created wealth, and improved access to healthcare and education.
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He, however, identified Ibeno’s difficult terrain, unstable soil, waterlogged areas, and logistical challenges as some of the factors affecting project execution.
Among the projects commissioned was a 300-capacity ultramodern Civic Centre at Esuk Ikim Ekeme, as well as a four-block classroom facility, staff quarters, and modern sanitary facilities at Iwuo-Okpom Opolom.
The Trust also donated 2,000 desks, teachers’ tables and chairs, 80,000 branded exercise books, scholarships, and two 60-seater buses to the students.
Under the health sector, the HCDT constructed and equipped two units of three-bedroom staff quarters at Cottage Hospital, Upenekang, with a 6 kVA solar power system. It also installed a separate 10 kVA solar system to provide reliable electricity to the hospital equipped with an operating theatre, outpatient department, and paediatric, male and female wards.
The Trust’s electricity intervention covers about 18 kilometres of 33KVA lines and 24 kilometres of low-tension lines, with five new substations comprising three 300KVA and two 500KVA transformers. Existing infrastructure was also upgraded through the replacement of older 300KVA transformers with higher-capacity 500KVA units.
Beyond infrastructure, the Trust empowered residents through vocational training in welding and fabrication, scaffolding, fashion design, and makeup/beauty artistry. Beneficiaries received professional certificates and starter kits, while small businesses and cooperatives were supported with start-up capital and equipment.
Agricultural and maritime cooperatives also got a boost with the donation of fibre boats, outboard engines, cassava-processing equipment, and commercial palm-oil processing machines. The Trust further sponsored members of the community with capacity training and certification in boat-making and outboard-engine maintenance.
Others include environmental interventions such as de-silting and clearing of critical waterways in Mkpanak, Upenekang and Iwochang to enhance water flows and mitigate flooding in affected communities.
Speaking on the partnership, Seplat Energy’s General Manager, Hadiza Garbati, said the AGM provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the Trust’s stewardship, celebrate progress and chart the way forward.
She stressed that the success of the HCDT should be measured not only by the resources available but also by how effectively they were managed, insisting that good governance, accountability and financial discipline must remain non-negotiable.
The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, His Royal Majesty, Owong (Prof.) Effiong Archianga, represented by Prince Effiong Archianga Jnr., commended the Trust’s performance, while Ibeno Traditional Rulers Council passed a vote of confidence in its leadership and called for its continued tenure to consolidate the gains recorded.
Similarly, the NUPRC State Coordinator, Engr. William Etukudo, said the Trust had justified the confidence reposed in its leadership and urged stronger partnership among the HCDT, regulators, government and industry stakeholders.
The Executive Chairman of Ibeno LGA, Mrs Glory Ekah, represented by the Council Secretary, Elder Daniel Solomon, also commended the Trust for complementing the council’s development efforts.
The AGM ended with a renewed call for stronger and sustained collaboration among the HCDT, Seplat Energy, government agencies, traditional institutions and host communities.
The stakeholders further expressed optimism that closer cooperation would accelerate development and improve living standards across Ibeno.
