A coalition of community stakeholders under the banner of The Concerned Ekid People has formally petitioned the Board of Trustees of EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, calling for full disclosure, transparency, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in the management of funds meant for host communities in Eket Local Government Area.
The petition, addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and copied to key national security, political, and anti-corruption institutions, expressed deep concern over what the group described as a “complete deviation” from the guidelines and intentions of the PIA by EMOIMEE in the handling of the 3% Host Communities Development Trust Fund contributed annually by SEPLAT and the NNPC Joint Venture.
The PIA, enacted in 2022, was designed to reform the governance of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Among its core objectives are promoting transparency, enhancing good governance, improving host community relations, and ensuring that communities affected by oil operations benefit directly from contributions mandated by law. Under Chapter 3 of the Act, Host Communities Development Trusts are required to manage these funds through a clear structure involving the Board of Trustees, a Management Committee, and a Host Communities Advisory Committee.
According to the petitioners, this governance structure was created to end decades of marginalization, neglect, and agitation in oil-bearing communities, giving them a voice in project selection, budgeting, and development priorities. However, the group alleges that funds accruing to EMOIMEE for the benefit of Eket communities have not been managed in line with these statutory provisions.
In the strongly worded petition signed by Pastor Bassey Iyaha (Chairman) and Chief Samuel Etti (Secretary), the coalition demanded detailed disclosures covering the years 2021 to 2025. The requested documents include:
The Host Communities Development Plans for each of the five years;
Total funds received from the settlors;
A list of all contracts executed and the contractors involved;
Names of beneficiaries of scholarship programmes and empowerment initiatives;
Annual project lists and budget allocations;
Evidence of statutory audits and reports submitted to regulatory agencies;
Proof of regular engagement between the Trust and community stakeholders.
The group stated that the absence of transparency and statutory reporting has created mistrust and rising tension across the host communities, warning that such tension could threaten the peaceful environment required for uninterrupted oil and gas operations if not addressed promptly.
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“The implementation of the PIA was intended to correct historical injustices,” the petitioners wrote. “But what we see today in EMOIMEE’s operations in Eket is far from what the law prescribes. The Host Communities Development Trust must function with openness, accountability, and strict compliance with the Act.”
They gave the Board of Trustees 21 days to provide the requested documents and clarifications, adding that doing so would help restore confidence in the Trust and reaffirm its commitment to the welfare of the communities it was created to serve.
The petition was copied to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Security Adviser, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the EFCC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security and government agencies.
The Concerned Ekid People insist that only transparency and adherence to due process can guarantee the peace, trust, and collaboration needed between EMOIMEE, the settlors, and the communities whose lands host critical oil operations.
