Residents of Eket Local Government Area on Wednesday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the management of the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, demanding a public explanation of how funds allocated to the area have been utilised.

The ultimatum was announced during a peaceful warning protest by concerned citizens drawn from various communities in the local government area. The protesters marched through major streets of Eket before converging at the EMOIMEE office, where they accused the Trust of poor transparency and limited engagement with its host communities.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Bassey Iyaha said the people would escalate their actions if the Trust failed to respond within the stipulated period.

“This is a warning protest. If, after 14 days, the management does not come out to explain how the money entrusted to them has been spent, we will be forced to take further steps,” Iyaha said.

He explained that the protest was driven by frustrations over what he described as the Trust’s refusal to engage stakeholders despite repeated letters requesting meetings and clarification on its activities.

According to Iyaha, residents were particularly concerned about the lack of visible development projects, empowerment programmes and skills acquisition initiatives, which the Trust was established to deliver.

Placards carried by the protesters called for accountability, transparency,  inclusion of traditional rulers and youths in decision-making, and an independent probe into the Trust’s operations.

Reacting to the protest, the Administrative Officer of the EMOIMEE Trust, Mr. Imo Udogha, described the demonstration as a legitimate expression of civic rights and acknowledged the concerns raised by the community.

He said the Trust would take steps to facilitate dialogue between the protesters and the management.

“The people have the right to air their grievances peacefully. We will look into how to arrange a meeting with the management at the appropriate level so these issues can be discussed and resolved,” Udogha said.

The EMOIMEE Trust was set up under the Petroleum Industry Act to manage development funds accruing from oil and gas activities in Eket host communities.