Eket Citizens stage warning Protest over alleged mismanagement of EMOIMEE Trust

Eket Citizens stage warning Protest over alleged mismanagement of EMOIMEE Trust

Some concerned citizens of Eket Local Government Area, embarked on a warning protest against the management of EMOIMEE, accusing the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) of lack of accountability, transparency and alleged fraud.

The protesters, drawn from different parts of Eket, marched peacefully while displaying placards with along major streets and converged at EMOIMEE office in Eket on Wednesday.

The protesters, drawn from different parts of Eket LGA, marched peacefully while displaying placards with inscriptions such as “EMOIMEE Eket is a fraud, “Who are the beneficiaries of Contracts, Scholarships and Empowerment”, “Dismantle the cabals”, “We need accountability and Transparency”.

Other are, “The youths need skill acquisition and Transfer of Technology”, “Carry our Village Heads along”, ” Mobil/NNPC JV should probe EMOIMEE Eket among others

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr Bassey Iyaha said the demonstration was necessitated by what he described as the Trust’s persistent failure to give the people accurate and timely information about its activities.

According to him, repeated efforts to engage the management through formal communication had proved futile.

“They have refused to give us attention despite several letters requesting a roundtable discussion,” Iyaha said.

He stressed that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the management to the growing concerns within the community.

He further accused the EMOIMEE management team of embezzlement of funds, alleging that enormous sums had been received by the Trust without commensurate development on ground.

“From 2021 to 2025, Eket EMOIMEE has collected approximately over ₦7.6 billion, yet there is no tangible development to show for it,” he alleged.

Iyaha said, “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.

“This is a warning protest. After 14 days, if they do not come out to explain how the money collected has been spent, we will escalate our actions. It is our money, and we have the right to know,” he said.

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.

“The people have the right to protest and air their grievances. Thankfully, their protest is peaceful.

“I understand they had written to the Trust and are yet to receive a response. From what I gather, this protest is meant to prompt a response to their request.

“I am going to see how to solve the problem by seeing how we can necessitates and facilitates meeting so that they can sit with the Management at the highest heirachy and articulate this issues and collectively solve the problem,” Udogha said.

EMOIMEE is made up of seven distinctive communities comprising the Local Government Areas of Eastern Obolo, Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eket and Esit Eket.