Ibeno development: Stakeholders applaud Seplat Energy, seek more investment in host communities

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Stakeholders in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have commended the NNPC/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) Ibeno Host Community Development Trust for intensifying interventions in critical sectors of the oil-producing communities.

The commendation followed the ongoing development interventions of the Trust in areas including flood control, rural electrification and education, with community leaders and residents describing the initiatives as timely responses to some of the pressing challenges confronting the coastal communities.

The stakeholders, who spoke with journalists in Upenekang on Sunday, said the interventions had demonstrated the potential of Host Community Development Trusts to respond directly to the needs of communities and contribute to improving the quality of life of residents.

They, however, called for the expansion of the interventions to cover more communities and sectors, stressing that the development challenges confronting Ibeno require sustained collaboration among the government, host communities, oil companies, development agencies and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the interventions, the Village Council Chairman of Idung Abasi Okure, Chief Nathaniel Ukochio, commended the leadership of the Trust under Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong for initiating projects targeted at improving living conditions across the oil-producing communities.

Ukochio particularly highlighted the Trust’s flood-control intervention, describing it as an important response to the recurring flooding that has continued to affect several communities in the coastal local government area.

According to him, the Trust has demonstrated a commitment to addressing challenges that directly affect the daily lives and livelihoods of residents.

He also commended the Trust’s Management Committee (MANCO), headed by Engr. James Utiaruk, for coordinating and supervising the implementation of the projects.

Ukochio said effective supervision was important to ensuring that development projects were properly executed and ultimately delivered tangible benefits to the communities for which they were designed.

One of the major components of the ongoing intervention, he noted, is the opening, clearing and dredging of waterways and drainage channels in flood-prone areas.

He said the exercise covers vulnerable locations in Mkpanak, Upenekang, Iwuo-Okpom, Okoroutip, Iwochang and other communities across Ibeno.

“Given the coastal nature of Ibeno, our communities remain particularly vulnerable to flooding, especially during prolonged rainfall.

“The decision by the Trust to commence flood-control measures before the situation becomes catastrophic demonstrates responsive leadership and foresight,” Ukochio said.

He, however, appealed to the Trust to extend the flood-control exercise to all the 27 villages in Ibeno, arguing that flooding was not restricted to a few communities.

He stressed that a comprehensive approach was required to reduce the impact of flooding and protect homes, businesses, roads and other community infrastructure.

Also speaking, a woman leader, Lady Ikwo Dan, recalled the devastating impact of flooding on Iwuo-Achang, noting that repeated flooding had resulted in the destruction of property and the disruption of economic activities.

She expressed appreciation to the Trust for responding to the challenge, saying the ongoing intervention had provided relief and renewed hope among residents.

According to her, interventions aimed at preventing or reducing flooding would have significant economic and social benefits for communities because residents would be better positioned to carry out their businesses and other livelihood activities without constant fear of flood disasters.

She urged the Trust to sustain the initiative and ensure that other vulnerable communities receive similar attention.

Meanwhile, the Alternate Chairman of the NNPC/Seplat Energy JV Ibeno Host Community Development Trust, Bar. Diamond Akapnika, explained that flood control was only one component of the broader development programme being implemented by the Trust.

Akapnika disclosed that the Trust had also embarked on rural electrification projects designed to improve access to electricity, stimulate economic activities and enhance the general well-being of residents.

He explained that improved electricity supply would not only benefit households but also create opportunities for small businesses and other economic activities within the communities.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Akapnika said the Trust was investing in education, stressing that human-capital development remained critical to achieving sustainable development in Ibeno.

He noted that investment in education would provide young people with the knowledge and skills required to contribute meaningfully to the economic and social development of their communities.

The Alternate Chairman also commended Seplat Energy Plc for its partnership in community development, noting the importance of collaboration between the settlor and host communities in achieving sustainable development.

He acknowledged the role of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, in establishing a statutory framework for host-community development through Host Community Development Trusts.

According to him, the framework has provided a structured mechanism through which host communities can benefit from development interventions arising from oil and gas operations.

The stakeholders described the interventions in Ibeno as significant, but stressed that sustainable development would require simultaneous investment in infrastructure and human capital.

They particularly commended the settlor, Seplat Energy, Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong and the MANCO led by Engr. James Utiaruk for focusing on immediate community challenges and implementing projects capable of delivering direct benefits to residents.

However, the stakeholders cautioned that the development challenges confronting Ibeno were too enormous for any single institution to tackle alone.

They therefore called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom State Government, host communities, oil companies, interventionist agencies, development partners, non-governmental organisations and other relevant institutions.

The stakeholders also expressed appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his response to the recent flood menace in Ibeno.

They appealed to the Federal Government and relevant interventionist agencies to complement the efforts of the NNPC/Seplat JV Ibeno Host Community Development Trust through additional interventions targeted at critical infrastructure and human development.

Areas identified for increased intervention include roads, electricity, flood control and drainage, education, healthcare, potable water, economic empowerment and other critical infrastructure.

According to the stakeholders, the scale of the development needs in Ibeno requires a coordinated and sustained approach in which government institutions, Host Community Development Trusts, oil companies and development partners play complementary roles.

They stressed that development interventions should not be viewed solely as physical projects, but as investments capable of improving livelihoods, strengthening local economies and building confidence between host communities and development institutions.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that the ongoing projects would produce long-term benefits for residents, particularly if the interventions were sustained and expanded to other communities.

They therefore urged the Trust to maintain the momentum and deepen consultation with community stakeholders before and during the implementation of development projects.

They also called for equitable distribution of development interventions across Ibeno, stressing that no community should be left behind in the development process.

The stakeholders further appealed to other stakeholders operating within and around Ibeno to fulfil their respective responsibilities to the communities.

They maintained that coordinated deployment of government resources, community-development funds and corporate social responsibility initiatives would generate greater and more sustainable benefits for the people.

For the residents, the ongoing interventions represent more than the provision of infrastructure. They are seen as a demonstration that structured community development initiatives can respond to immediate needs while laying the foundation for longer-term socio-economic transformation.

The stakeholders consequently urged all parties to sustain the spirit of partnership, accountability, consultation and equitable development in order to ensure that the benefits of oil-producing activities translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of people across Ibeno.