By Solomon OKPO | Eket.
The Eket Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT-EMOIMEE) has disclosed that its capital fund stood at ₦5.86 billion as of July 30, 2026, following inflows from the 3 per cent operating expenditure allocation and other financial activities.
Trustee representing Eket, Air Commodore Charles Enobong Usoh (rtd), made the disclosure during the 2026 First Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Eket Host Communities Development Trust, where he presented an account of the Trust’s activities, projects and programmes across Eket Local Government Area.
Usoh said the Trust commenced the year with ₦2.73 billion in carried-over capital funds, while the 3 per cent OPEX inflow amounted to ₦4.69 billion. After approved expenditures, he said, the balance in the Eket HCDT account stood at ₦5,856,930,850.60 as of July 30.
He said the Trust had completed and commissioned 35 civil projects under its 2024 programme, covering eight primary schools and three health centres across Eket communities.
The interventions included projects at St Gregory’s Primary School, Ikot Ebok; QIC Primary School, Okon; QIC Primary School, Odio; St Paul’s Primary School, Ikot Ibiok; Government Primary School, Hospital Road, Ikot Ebiyan; Primary School, Idung Iniang; Main School, Afaha Eket; and Primary School, Ikot Abia.
According to him, the three health centres that benefited from the programme were Mary Slessor Primary Health Centre, Effoi; Primary Health Centre, Idua; and Primary Health Centre, Nduo Eduo. He added that each of the eight primary schools also received 150 double-seater desks, five teachers’ tables and chairs, and an executive table and chair for the head teacher.
The Trustee further disclosed that the Trust carried out major interventions at Immanuel Hospital, including the installation of a 500KVA transformer linked to the PHED 24-hour grid, a solar-powered borehole water system, environmental sanitation and the refurbishment of the gatehouse with additional solar-powered security lights.
On the 2025 programme, Usoh said interventions were planned for four secondary schools, Girls High School, Ikot Ibiok; Nduo Eduo High School; Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket; and Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Use Ekong, with emphasis on improving security and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He said 17 contractors had been selected for the secondary school projects and were expected to mobilise to site by September 2026, while the grading of four rural roads would commence after the necessary approval and the rainy season permits.
The roads listed include Assam Street Road, Esuk Iko Road, Afaha Uqua–Obok Idim–Ede Urua Road, and Gas Plant Road.
Looking ahead, the Trust said its 2026 plans include the construction of the first phase of the Eket Model Market at Esit Urua in collaboration with Eket Local Government Council, infrastructure intervention at Government Primary School, Mkpok, upgrading of health centres at Odio and Afaha Atai, and installation of solar power systems in six primary schools.
Other planned projects include solar-powered security lights in selected communities, completion of the perimeter fence at Government Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Use Ekong, provision of furniture to four additional primary schools, construction of a borehole and water treatment plant at Akoiyak, and provision of water and modern toilet facilities at three community markets.
The Trust also plans to connect the School of Nursing and the Psychiatric Hospital to the 24-hour PHED electricity supply through the 500KVA transformer installed at Immanuel Hospital.
On human capital development, Usoh disclosed that the Trust had projected 473 scholarships for Eket indigenes studying in tertiary institutions during the 2025/26 session.
He also said 288 indigenes were being trained in six vocational areas, oil and gas, fashion design, catering, hairdressing, hair barbing and information and communication technology (ICT).
According to him, beneficiaries of the skills acquisition programme would receive starter packs and ₦500,000 each upon completion of their training to enable them establish their businesses.
He said the Trust was also preparing to commence its 2026 agribusiness programme after receiving more than 1,200 Expressions of Interest (EOI) from prospective beneficiaries. The applications, he said, had been collated and forwarded to a consultant for analysis and recommendations, with the programme targeted at practising farmers operating individually or through cooperatives.
The Trust also plans to provide medical equipment to three health centres previously covered by its civil projects, as well as assistive devices and support materials for Eket indigenes living with disabilities, subject to the necessary approvals.
However, Usoh identified security and funding as major challenges confronting the Trust, particularly the cost of protecting completed projects and public infrastructure from vandalism and other threats.
He said the deployment of security personnel to the eight primary schools, three health centres and Immanuel Hospital had significantly improved the protection of the facilities, but sustaining the funding remained a major concern.
He explained that the issue was not captured in the Trust’s original five-year Community Development Plan (CDP), but had now been incorporated into the reviewed CDP awaiting approval by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Usoh also appealed for understanding among stakeholders over the distribution of development projects, noting that Eket Local Government Area, being the most cosmopolitan and populous among the EMOIMEE local government areas, has substantial infrastructure and human-capital needs, despite receiving the same funding allocation.
He urged stakeholders to support the Trust in ensuring that the benefits of its interventions gradually reach all 72 villages in Eket.
The Trustee reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to transparency, accountability and regular stakeholder engagement, stressing that the progress recorded so far was the product of collaboration among the Trust, government, traditional institutions, communities, development partners and other stakeholders.
He expressed appreciation to the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem E.C.D. Abia, the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Akaniyene Tommey Ikott, Seplat, NNPC, NUPRC, royal fathers, ward coordinators and other stakeholders for their support.
He assured the people of Eket that the Trust would continue to prioritise projects and programmes capable of improving living conditions, creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable development across the host communities.
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