EMOIMEE-PIA: Public Outcry In Esit Eket, Need For Accountability
~ By Unwana Assam
16092024
Sequel to the core objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for good governance, transparency, and community empowerment, there have been increasing reports and public outcry that implicate the representatives of Esit Eket on the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Board in the alleged mismanagement of funds accrued to the Local Government from the PIA fund.
The community has recently raised serious concerns regarding the award of contracts, disbursement of scholarships, and distribution of empowerment items purportedly procured using the PIA funds by the Host Community Development Trust. These allegations have compelled the people of Esit Eket to demand clarity on the exact sums paid to the Local Government by the settlor (ExxonMobil) for the 2021 and 2022 tranches of the PIA fund.
The PIA., signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, created the HCDT to manage funds for host communities, ensuring that they benefit from petroleum exploration within their regions, and Esit Eket local government area is one of the communities that drilling of oil has impacted very negatively over the years.
According to Sections 2(c), 66(f), and 67 of the PIA, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the HCDT is responsible for ensuring good governance, transparency, and accountability in managing the Host Community Development Trust Fund. The PIA mandates that the fund be used for developmental projects aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of the host communities. The Act, regulated by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), establishes clear guidelines for good governance and effective resource management within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
In light of these stipulations, it is, therefore, pertinent to ask; has the HCDT of Esit Eket lived up to the expectations of the Act in terms of governance, transparency, and accountability to the people of Esit Eket? Your guess is as good as mine.
I understand that scholarships have been paid to some Esit Eket students in tertiary institutions, and transportation items such as Minibuses, Keke Trucks, and Motorcycles have been purchased and distributed to some selected Esit Eket indigenes. I am not in any way oblivious to the efforts and huge contributions the committee members have made to utilize the PIA fund in Esit Eket. Their contributions to Esit Eket affairs as regards the PIA struggle are well commended.
Notwithstanding, having procured those items and paid scholarships to students, it is, therefore, obligatory, as enshrined in the Act, to give a detailed explanation of the process and criteria used in awarding contracts. Give comprehensive reports on the scholarship programs initiated by the Trust, including details of the selection process, the number, and names of beneficiaries, their respective wards/units/communities, institutions they attend, the amounts awarded to each student, disclose the names of the consultants and the percentage and amount paid to consultants. They are equally expected by the Esit Eket people to give a full disclosure of the total funds accrued to Esit Eket Local Government from the 2021/2022 tranche of the PIA fund as released by the settlor.
It would seem like the members of the HCDT have not familiarized themselves with the contents of the PIA. Otherwise, they should know that accountability and transparency are sacrosanct as far as their duties and responsibilities are concerned. Their non-disclosure of this vital information, even after being requested by the Esît Eket people, is quite unfortunate and suspicious. They are, therefore, mandated to keep the members of the host community abreast of their activities and financial records at all times and after each fiscal year to avoid misinformation.
I strongly believe that transparency and accountability are essential to fostering trust between the Esit Eket community and the HCDT, and failure to address these demands of the teeming people of Esit Eket that have been lingering for some time now might result in avoidable legal actions and peaceful demonstrations by the people.
This is because the people of Esit Eket, in a time like this, have the right to know how their resources are being managed and how decisions made by the HCDT under the PIA impact their lives. Therefore, I see the unanimous and public agitation for accountability by Esit Eket people who have been at the receiving end of oil drilling activities as the right thing to be done by those saddled with the responsibilities of the Trust Management as timely, and not needless or mere noise. It is rather a call on the Trust to honor the principles of accountability by providing a detailed account of its activities and financial transactions.
It is also on record that since the HCDT of Esit Eket was inaugurated, to the best of my knowledge, there has not been an enlarged meeting convened in Esit Eket by the representatives of the Trust as obliged by the Act, apart from the stakeholders meeting convened once at Eden Hotel to present the five (5) years Needs Assessment Plan. So, the time for the Trust to convene a town hall meeting in Esit Eket is long overdue, and the people are earnestly requesting it. After all, it is their right. They do not deserve to be kept in the dark as far as PIA HCDT is concerned.
Hence, I call on the Host Community Development Trust, having been abreast of the Petroleum Industry Act, to act promptly in addressing these pressing issues raised by the people and ensure that the people of Esit Eket are fully informed on matters that directly affect their welfare and development. Doing the right thing is not a waste of time.
Unwana Assam is a journalist, publisher of Newsline9ja Blog, a good governance advocate, and writes from Idung Uya Ntak Inyang.
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