Eastern Obolo EMOIMEE’s Transparency, Accountability Excite Rights Group

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

A show of transparency and accountability in service delivery by Eastern Obolo Board of Trustees’ members of EMOIMEE has excited the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN).

CHRAN noted the prompt response to provide information on the activities and projects of the Eastern Obolo branch of EMOIMEE as commendable, urging other branches to take a cue.

EMOIMEE, a Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) is a statutory trust established under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited as Settlor and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as regulator. The Trust is committed to enhancing the quality of life in its seven host communities of Eket, Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Esit Eket, and Eastern Obolo.

EMOIMEE was incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA 2020) on 5th July, 2023, and formally inaugurated on 18th July, 2024. Since inception, EMOIMEE has drawn public scrutiny over the management of the substantial funds remitted to it by the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture, with reports indicating that the Trust has received well over ₦60 billion since inception amid allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, accountability and poor project delivery in some host communities.

Against the backdrop of public concern that CHRAN has, over time, sought information from the Board of Trustees’ members across all seven EMOIMEE host communities under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

“By a letter dated 25th May, 2026, CHRAN formally requested information from the BOT members representing Eastern Obolo, Esit Eket, Ikot Abasi, Onna, and Mbo, seeking details of projects executed, their locations, scholarships awarded and their beneficiaries, names of contractors engaged, and any other community-targeted interventions carried out since inception.

“So far, only the Eastern Obolo BOT members, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Uduyork J. Aboh and Mrs. Lily Evans John, has responded satisfactorily, providing a comprehensive document detailing 29 projects executed in Eastern Obolo LGA since 2023, the contractors handling the projects, and scholarships awarded to a total of 2,000 beneficiaries,” CHRAN noted.

According to a press statement dated August 6, 2026 and signed by CHRAN Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Secretary, Research & Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong, the Center has independently fact-checked the information provided and confirmed that it as accurate.

The CHRAN commended them for the demonstration of openness and responsiveness to public accountability demands, and urged them to sustain the standard.

However, “CHRAN regrets to note that the BOT members representing four other EMOIMEE host communities — Hon. E. Justus Ntuk (Ikot Abasi), Hon. Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, Jnr. Esq. (Esit Eket), Engr. Clinton Akpan (Onna), and Sir Engr Dr. Asuquo Edet Inuikim (Mbo) — are yet to respond to CHRAN’s letter of 25th May, 2026, despite the statutory obligation on public and quasi-public institutions to respond to Freedom of Information requests within the timelines prescribed by law.

“We recall that CHRAN had earlier written separately to the BOT members representing Mkpat Enin and Eket LGAs. While the Mkpat Enin representative responded, the Eket BOT member failed to do so, compelling CHRAN to institute legal action in Suit No: FHC/CS/10/2026, which is presently pending before the Federal High Court.

“CHRAN’s engagement with EMOIMEE is informed by persistent complaints received from residents of these local government areas, who allege that the Trust is not doing enough to develop their communities despite the substantial funds accruing to it. We note that 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.

“We therefore reiterate our demand that the BOT members representing Ikot Abasi, Esit Eket, Onna, and Mbo respond to our request without further delay. Should they continue to withhold this information, CHRAN will explore all lawful measures available to it to compel disclosure and ensure that the affected communities are not kept in the dark about how funds meant for their development are being utilised by EMOIMEE,” the statement disclosed.

CHRAN reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the management of host community development funds across Nigeria, and would continue to engage EMOIMEE and its Board of Trustees until all seven host communities receive the disclosure they are entitled to under the law.