The Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) in Esit Eket, Akwa Ibom State, is facing significant controversy over its empowerment program under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Initiated in August 2024 as part of a broader initiative for oil-producing local government areas, the fund has executed projects like scholarship grants and the distribution of mini-buses and motorcycles. However, the selection process for beneficiaries has raised serious questions.
Stakeholders, including former youth leader Jacob Jacob, have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and community involvement in selecting beneficiaries. Jacob has taken legal action to compel the trust fund to disclose the names of scholarship recipients and the criteria used for selecting those who received the vehicles.
Critics, including political figures, have also condemned the quality of the distributed vehicles, describing them as obsolete and inadequate. Concerns about accountability and the overall management of the fund have led to calls for greater transparency.
In response, trust fund representative Dan Abia defended the process, claiming that the structure of the PIA prevents embezzlement and ensures accountability through multiple oversight layers. He argued that allegations of mismanagement are politically motivated and emphasized that procurement processes are conducted fairly.
The situation highlights a broader need for community engagement and transparent governance in local empowerment initiatives.