Transparency And Accountability Lacking In Esit Eket HCDT Operations
~By Unwana Assam
Thu.31 Oct.
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was signed into law on 16th August 2021 with the intent to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in host communities. One key provision within the PIA is the establishment of Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs), which are designed to address the socioeconomic and environmental challenges faced by oil-producing communities.
The Esit Eket HCDT was established with the noble intention of uplifting the community. However, its performance has been marked by a blatant disregard for transparency and accountability, casting doubt on its ability to fulfill its mandate.
One of the most pressing issues is the Trust’s failure to provide clear and timely financial reports and that of its activities. This writer is aware that the Settlor (ExxonMobil) has since paid into the Trust’s account the money for the year 2021/2022, and it has since been expended.
Scholarships are said to have been paid to students, and Minibusses, motorcycles, and Keke Trucks were purchased and distributed. Consultants have been paid. Projects to be executed are said to have been signed and awarded to contractors. Yet, the community remains in the dark about the allocation and utilization of funds as well as the awarding of contracts, thereby fueling suspicions of mismanagement and corruption. The HCDT’s blatant refusal to disclose the amount paid by ExxonMobil for specific years further exacerbates this lack of transparency.
Moreover, the HCDT has failed to engage meaningfully with the community. Community members feel excluded from decision-making processes, leading to frustration and a sense of disenfranchisement. The delayed execution of crucial development projects has compounded the challenges faced by the community, hindering its progress and exacerbating existing socioeconomic issues.
The Trust under EMOIMEE was expected to be a beacon of progress for the local communities that have long endured the negative effects of oil exploration. However, several complaints and refusal to adhere to the PIA provisions suggest that the Trust has deliberately deviated significantly from its obligations as outlined in the PIA, raising serious concerns among community members and civil society organizations.
Transparency and accountability lacking In the Esit Eket HCDT operations not only undermines the Trust’s credibility but also threatens the overall objective of the PIA in improving the livelihoods of the host communities.
Esit Eket LGA is not a cash crop where anybody would hold a public office and display a nonchalant attitude with disregard for the people. PIA Trust is people’s centric and the overall interest of the people must be prioritized over personal or individual aggrandizement.
To rectify this situation, I propose that immediate action is necessary. Government agencies must strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that the HCDT adheres to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Independent audits should be conducted to investigate any potential financial irregularities. Additionally, the HCDT must prioritize community engagement, transparency, and accountability to regain the trust of the community members it is meant to serve.
The Esit Eket community deserves better. The HCDT must fulfill its mandate and contribute to the development and prosperity of the community. Until then, the promise of the PIA will remain unfulfilled.
Comrade Unwana Assamis a journalist, publisher of Newsline9ja Blog, and writes from Idung Uya Ntak Inyang in Esit Eket LGA 08134803893
