Daud Olatunji
A civil society organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, has demanded full disclosure of how more than ₦60bn allocated to oil-producing communities in Akwa Ibom State has been managed since the inauguration of the Host Community Development Trust in 2024.
The group also threatened to deploy legal measures against trustees who fail to account for projects and other interventions funded from the oil host community development allocations.
The demand followed a verification exercise conducted by CHRAN into the activities of the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, which covers seven oil and gas-producing local government areas in the state.
The affected councils are Eket, Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Esit Eket and Eastern Obolo.
In a statement issued after its verification exercise, CHRAN said only the Eastern Obolo Board of Trustees had so far provided satisfactory responses to its requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act.
The organisation said the failure of other trustees to disclose information had heightened concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of funds intended for communities affected by oil exploration and production.
CHRAN’s State Director, Otuekong Franklin Isong, and Secretary, Research and Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong, said the organisation’s demand was prompted by complaints from residents who questioned the level of development in their communities despite the substantial funds accruing to the trust.
The group said it formally wrote to trustees representing Eastern Obolo, Esit Eket, Ikot Abasi, Onna and Mbo on May 25, 2026, requesting details of projects executed, locations, contractors, scholarships and beneficiaries, as well as other interventions financed by the trust.
According to CHRAN, the Eastern Obolo trustees, Rt. Hon. Uduyork J. Aboh and Mrs Lily Evans John, responded with documents detailing 29 projects executed in the local government area and scholarships awarded to 2,000 beneficiaries.
The organisation said it independently fact-checked the information supplied by the Eastern Obolo trustees and found it accurate.
CHRAN commended the trustees for responding to its request, describing the disclosure as an example of the transparency expected from institutions managing public-interest funds.
The organisation, however, said four other trustees had yet to respond to its requests.
Those named were Hon. E. Justus Ntuk of Ikot Abasi, Hon. Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr of Esit Eket, Engr. Clinton Akpan of Onna and Dr Asuquo Edet Inuikim of Mbo.
CHRAN urged the trustees to immediately disclose details of how the funds allocated to their respective host communities had been utilised.
It said failure to provide the requested information would leave it with no option but to pursue available legal avenues to compel disclosure.
Legal battle over Eket fund
CHRAN said its accountability campaign had already resulted in legal action involving the Eket representative.
According to the group, it had earlier written separately to the trustees representing Mkpat Enin and Eket.
While the Mkpat Enin representative responded, CHRAN said the Eket trustee failed to provide the requested information.
The organisation said this led it to institute Suit No. FHC/CS/10/2026, which is currently pending before the Federal High Court.
CHRAN stressed that its demand was not aimed at witch-hunting the trustees but at ensuring that communities receive the benefits intended under the Petroleum Industry Act.
The group said the EMOIMEE trust was established pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited as the settlor and the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission as regulator.
It said the trust was incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act on July 5, 2023, and formally inaugurated on July 18, 2024.
The organisation alleged that the trust had received well over ₦60bn from the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture since inception, making transparency in the utilisation of the funds particularly important.
CHRAN said the funds were intended to address developmental challenges in communities hosting oil and gas operations and to improve the quality of life of residents.
It therefore urged all trustees to make their records available for public scrutiny.
“Public accountability is not optional for a statutory trust managing funds meant for the collective benefit of host communities; it is a legal and moral obligation,” the organisation said.
CHRAN further warned that it would explore all lawful measures available to compel trustees who refuse to provide the requested information to disclose how the funds had been spent.
It called on residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and demand accountability for projects, scholarships and other interventions funded from the host community development allocations.
The organisation said the response from Eastern Obolo demonstrated that transparency was possible and should become the standard across all the host communities.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
