Some aggrieved persons from Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday raised alarm over alleged fraud and mismanagement of funds by the EMOIMEE, Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).
Pressing home their reservations in a peaceful protest at the EMOIMEE office in Eket, the protesters drawn from all the communities in Eket called for a probe of the Trust.
Some of the placards displayed read; “EMOIMEE Eket is a fraud, “Carry our Village Heads along”, “Mobil/NNPC JV should probe EMOIMEE Eket, “Who are the beneficiaries of Contracts, Scholarships and Empowerment”, “Dismantle the cabals”, “We need accountability and Transparency”.
Mr Bassey Iyaha, one of the protesters said the protest was neccessary following the inability of the Trust to give the people accurate and timely information about their dealings regretting that efforts to engage the management of the Trust were not successful.
Iyaha also noted with dismay that the amount of funds received by the Trust were not commensurate with the projects executed within the communities.
His words, “From 2021 to 2025, Eket EMOIMEE has collected approximately over ₦7.6 billion, yet there is no tangible development to show for it. This money belongs to the sons and daughters of Eket Local Government Area; it is not meant for a particular group of people.”
He emphasised that the protest was only a warning, adding that the people would take further steps if their demands were ignored.
When contacted, the Administrative Officer of the EMOIMEE Trust, Mr Imo Udogha, acknowledged the protest and described it as a legitimate expression of civic rights and promised to ensure amicable solution.
