Officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Seplat Energy, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) stormed Eastern Obolo local government area on Tuesday, November 4, to inspect EMOIMEE projects across the area.
While the NNPCL team included Mrs Nkechi Aneadobe, Head, NNPCL Upstream Investment Management Services; Mrs Bunmi Lawson, Manager Stakeholders Relations; and Jenifer Ezeoke, Content & Development Department; Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha, General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, represented Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU).
Also, the NUPRC team were: Mrs Olaide Shonola, Senior Manager, Host Community; Mr. Etim Etukudu, Field Coordinator, Eket Office; and Ms Milta Ibrahim, Regulatory officer II, Host Community.
The tour of projects is a part of activities marking the second anniversary of the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, which ends with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Leading the team to the area, a Board Member representing Eastern Obolo, Sir Aboh Uduyok, said the area was a peculiar terrain which needed special consideration in terms of projects execution.
Uduyok said the area is plagued by poor road network, poor topography and swampy landscape which makes logistics a huge challenge.
Expressing gratitude to the team for taking the risks to come all the way to the project sites, Hon. Uduyok appeal to the team to always prioritise proposals filed by Eastern Obolo team, to enable them catch-up with the realities on ground.
Chief Uduyok who spoke during inspection of construction in a six classroom block project at Edowik, said, “I am delighted that we’ve had the patience of coming here, so that you can appreciate the terrain and the interventions we are using your funds to provide for this community.
“As you can see, our people are suffering a lot from the impact of oil production. We hope that this realities would inform your decisions towards prioritising our proposals for the development of our area.”
Saying there were various projects scattered around the community, including 600 solar-powered street lights, Sir Uduyok said, “If you come here by 6pm, you will see the light brightening like a small island.”
Also speaking, another Board Member for Eastern Obolo, Mrs Lily Evans, noted that the area has undertaken various development projects including providing N400,000 worth of scholarships to 250 tertiary students and #150,000 to 150 secondary students; empowering youths with vocational training in areas like electrical work and welding.
Lily Evans who was flanked by Barr Nango D Nango, MC Member and Stephen Enoch, Advisory Committee Member for the area, said, “We have also procured three ambulances for primary health centers. Again, we provided 30 brand new outboard engines, 90 bundles of fishing nets, and gears to support local livelihoods.
“Ongoing projects include the construction of staff quarters, markets, classroom blocks, and a civic center. We are also building a science laboratory for Obanga/Ikonta Secondary School.
Mrs Evans said the projects aim to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities in the community, demonstrating the HCDT’s commitment to the well-being and development of Eastern Obolo.
The team also visited Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Onna local government areas inspecting and commissioning projects ranging from classroom block, solar powered water, street light, staff quarters and bridges.
Also part of the visit were EMOIMEE BoT Members including Ag chairman, Clinton Akpan, Onna; Engr Asuquo Inuikim, Mbo; Emmanuel Justus Ntuk, Ikot Abasi; Engr Udo Sunday Obot, Mkpat Enin; Hon. Bassey Dan-Abia, Esit Eket, and Commodore Charlse Usoh, Eket.
Others were Mbo Board Member, Engr Asuquo Inuikim; Esit Eket Board Member, Hon. Bassey Dan-Abia; Eket Board Member, Commodore Charlse Usoh; MC Member Mbo, Chief Edet E. Okon; Head of Advisory Committee, Mr Nsudo Nsudo, among many others.
