The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) have commended the EMOIMEE team in Mbo Local Government Area for its commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and community development, following an inspection of remodelled primary healthcare centres and other development projects across the area.
The inspection on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, featured the commissioning of solar-powered streetlights in Enwang, Mbo, alongside a tour of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
Speaking during the exercise, NUPRC representative, Dr Olaide Sonola, said the quality of the projects reflected the enduring spirit of exemplary leadership demonstrated by EMOIMEE.
EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust is funded by the NNPC/Seplat joint ventures through the institution of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to carry out development projects in the seven host communities: Eastern Obolo, Mbo, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eket and Esit Eket.
Mrs Sonola, while commissioning the solar-powered streetlights in Enwang, noted that the intervention would bring relief to residents and improve security in the benefiting communities.
Flanked by Mr Nsemeke Udoakpan of Seplat, she urged residents to embrace, protect and maintain the facilities to ensure they serve their intended purpose.
The Chairman of the EMOIMEE Board of Trustees, Hon. Emmanuel Justus Ntuk, commended the Mbo team, noting that the quality of work delivered reflected the values and standards of the Trust.
Accompanied by other board members including Engr Sunny Udo, Mkpat Enin; Engr Clinton Akpan, Onna, Mrs Lily Evans John, Eastern Obolo, and Commodore Charles Usoh, Eket, together with the Head of Management Committee, Chief Ulo Uye; and the Advisory Committee Secretary, Chief Ita Ntekim, Hon. Ntuk called on residents to take ownership of the projects and protect them against vandalism, assuring them that more community development interventions were in the pipeline.
The EMOIMEE Board member representing Mbo, Dr Asuquo Inuikim, informed the inspection team that the remodelled primary healthcare centres had been completed and fully equipped, adding that the formal inauguration was being awaited pending the arrival of ambulances.
Speaking on the scope of the intervention, EMOIMEE Mbo Project Consultant, Dr Samuel Ekung, said the project involved the comprehensive rehabilitation, reconstruction, remodelling, furnishing and equipping of primary healthcare centres in five communities: Ebughu, Enwang, Uda, Udesi and Effiat.
He explained that the overall objective was to provide smart, energy-efficient, off-grid primary healthcare facilities with residential accommodation for health workers and infrastructure capable of supporting future upgrades to cottage medical facilities.
He added that the initiative was designed to complement the efforts of the ARISE Model Health Centres in Mbo rather than compete with existing prototypes.
In Ebughu, Dr Ekung disclosed that the intervention covered ten project components, including the rehabilitation of the main ward, construction of three detached two-bedroom staff quarters and a one-bedroom staff quarter, installation of a hybrid solar-powered borehole with an 8,000-litre storage capacity, reconstruction of the perimeter fence and gatehouse, rehabilitation of the toilet block and linkways, concrete paving of driveways, car park and walkways, installation of solar streetlights, and provision of solar power systems, together with furnishings for the buildings and staff quarters.
He further listed medical supplies and equipment provided for the facilities to include laboratory diagnostic equipment, baby resuscitators, autoclaves, haematocrit machines, ovens, centrifuges, binocular microscopes, Finetest machines, Combi-9 test strips, test kits, hospital beds, trolleys, Mackintosh mattresses, bedside lockers, injection cabinet trolleys, wheelchairs, delivery and examination couches, Ambu bags, resuscitation tables, weighing scales and pulse oximeters, among others.
In Esit Eket, the Board member representing the area, Hon. Bassey Dan Abia Jnr., conducted the team round the ICT centres, explaining that the facilities were conceived to address the growing technology needs of the modern world.
Dan Abia observed that technology, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), was increasingly shaping global development.
He said the distribution of at least two ICT centres in each of the three zones of Esit Eket was driven by the need to catch young people early, equip them with relevant digital skills and secure the area’s technological future.
Residents of the benefiting communities also applauded EMOIMEE for the interventions and called for sustained efforts to extend development projects to more communities.
Meanwhile, the EMOIMEE Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at CEEDAPEG Hotels and Suites, Uyo from 10:00am.
