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… laments infrastructural deficits and alarming poverty in Ibeno
Faith Kordoo
Stakeholders, including women and youths in the Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, have alleged a lack of transparency and inclusivity in the management of the PIA funds for the frontline host community by the Ibeno Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT).
The aggrieved citizens made their displeasures known at a Town Hall meeting at the Omega Hotel, Upenekang, Ibeno LGA, organized by the Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR).
Lamenting infrastructural deficits and alarming poverty in the host community of Ibeno, despite the huge oil and gas assets and resources in the host community, the people therefore called for greater accountability and transparency on the part of the management of the Ibeno HCDT.
The Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) is an incorporated registered trustee on the Environmental, Climate, and Social Justice program in Nigeria and has taken on the action of amplifying community voices and escalating citizen engagement in the host communities of Akwa Ibom State under the #FollowHCDTF campaign of the PIA accountability, transparency, and tracking campaign.
Executive Director of NAPPDRR, Emem Edoho, in his welcome address at the program, expressed deep gratitude to major partners and funders like Oilwatch Africa and Global Greengrants Fund for making the campaign a reality in the state.
“It’s a program to address environmental challenges, protect biodiversity, climate, and social justice. We are sure that with stronger collaboration with critical stakeholders—women, youths, PWDs, and community-based organizations in the host communities—we can drive the desired change that the host communities need.
” Particularly in the PIA 3% OPEX funds remitted by the settlors to the Host Community Development Trust, like Ibeno HCDT of Mobil-NNPCL JV.
“NAPPDRR is committed to a prosperous future, sustainable development, and equitable benefit-sharing for all the citizens of the host community,” he assured.
Represented at the town hall meeting by the Senior Engineer in the Directorate of Petroleum Resources in the Ministry of Environment, Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Engr. Idongesit Essien, and the state’s Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Hon. Uno Etim Eno, I commend the efforts of NAPPDRR in sensitizing the host community, promoting environmental justice and biodiversity, and advocating for climate change, accountability, and transparency in the management of the PIA Funds.
Guest speakers at the Town Hall meeting were Mr. Mfon Gabriel of the Well of Science Foundation and Akanimo Samson, Director of the Rebuilders Foundation, a citizen engagement expert.
Stakeholders at the meeting include Barr. Martin Asukpa, a youth activist and environmental lawyer; Lady Rhoda Peter, a woman activist; Chief Specialist Godwin Effanga; Obonganwan Reginna Eshiet; and Comrade Herkins Emmanuel, among others.
