HCDT delivers schools, healthcare, electricity projects in Ibeno

Tony Okoh, Uyo

The NNPC/SEPNU JV Ibeno Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) has commissioned a series of development projects and unveiled fresh empowerment initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of residents across the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The interventions were unveiled during the Trust’s Second Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Ulok Ulok Hall, Upenekang, Ibeno LGA, under the theme, “Lighting the Path to Prosperity: The Ibeno HCDT Story.”

The AGM brought together traditional rulers, government officials, regulators, representatives of Seplat Energy, community leaders, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to review the activities and achievements of the Trust during the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong, said the HCDT had moved beyond development promises to deliver measurable interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, electricity, skills acquisition, agriculture, maritime activities and small-business development.

According to him, the interventions had helped to strengthen infrastructure, empower residents, build human capacity, create economic opportunities and improve access to healthcare and education across the host communities.

Ekpenyong, however, noted that the difficult terrain of Ibeno, unstable soil conditions, waterlogged areas and logistical challenges continued to pose difficulties to the execution of some projects.

Among the projects commissioned was a 300-capacity ultramodern Civic Centre at Esuk Ikim Ekeme, as well as a four-block classroom facility, staff quarters and modern sanitary facilities at Iwuo-Okpom Opolom.

The Trust also provided 2,000 desks, teachers’ tables and chairs, 80,000 branded exercise books, scholarships and two 60-seater buses for students as part of its education interventions.

In the health sector, the HCDT constructed and equipped two units of three-bedroom staff quarters at Cottage Hospital, Upenekang, alongside a 6kVA solar power system.

It also installed a separate 10kVA solar power system to provide more reliable electricity to the hospital, which has an operating theatre, Outpatient Department and paediatric, male and female wards.

The Trust’s electricity intervention covers approximately 18 kilometres of 33kV lines and 24 kilometres of low tension lines, with five new substations comprising three 300kVA and two 500kVA transformers.

Existing electricity infrastructure was also upgraded through the replacement of older 300kVA transformers with higher-capacity 500kVA units.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the HCDT has also focused on economic empowerment through vocational training in welding and fabrication, scaffolding, fashion design, and makeup and beauty artistry.

Beneficiaries received professional certificates and starter kits, while small businesses and cooperatives were supported with start-up capital and equipment to enable them to establish or expand their businesses.

The Trust also supported agricultural and maritime cooperatives with fibre boats, outboard engines, cassava-processing equipment and commercial palm-oil processing machines.

Members of the communities were further sponsored for capacity-building programmes and professional certification in boat-making and outboard-engine maintenance.

In the area of environmental management, the HCDT carried out de-silting and clearing of critical waterways in Mkpanak, Upenekang and Iwochang communities to improve water flow and help mitigate flooding.

Speaking on the partnership between the stakeholders, Seplat Energy’s General Manager, Hadiza Garbati, said the AGM provided an opportunity to assess the stewardship of the Trust, celebrate achievements and collectively chart the way forward.

Garbati stressed that the success of the HCDT should not be measured solely by the resources available to it, but also by how effectively those resources were managed.

She maintained that good governance, accountability and financial discipline must remain non-negotiable in the administration of the Trust.

The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, His Royal Majesty, Owong (Prof.) Effiong Archianga, represented by Prince Effiong Archianga Jnr., commended the performance of the HCDT.

The Ibeno Traditional Rulers Council subsequently passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Trust and called for its continued tenure to enable it to consolidate the gains already recorded.

Similarly, the NUPRC State Coordinator, Engr. William Etukudo said the Trust had justified the confidence reposed in its leadership.

He called for stronger collaboration among the HCDT, regulatory authorities, government and industry stakeholders to further advance development in Ibeno.

The Executive Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Mrs. Glory Ekah, represented by the Council Secretary, Elder Daniel Solomon, also commended the Trust for complementing the development efforts of the local government.

The AGM ended with a renewed call for sustained collaboration among the HCDT, Seplat Energy, government agencies, traditional institutions and the host communities.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger cooperation among the various parties would accelerate development, deepen empowerment and further improve the living standards of residents across Ibeno.