FRONTIER OIL/SAVANNAH ENERGY HCDT ROLLS OUT N70.5M STARTER PACKS, N200,000 SHOP RENT FOR 80 TRAINED YOUTHS IN AKWA IBOM.

FRONTIER OIL/SAVANNAH ENERGY HCDT ROLLS OUT N70.5M STARTER PACKS, N200,000 SHOP RENT FOR 80 TRAINED YOUTHS IN AKWA IBOM.

– Beneficiaries to sign an undertaking, risk jail term if items are re-sold.

Daniel Edon 13/04/26

The Frontier Oil/Savannah Energy Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) is set to empower 80 skill acquisition graduates from Esit Eket and Eket Local Government Areas with starter packs valued at N70,502,136.25. Each beneficiary will also receive N200,000 to secure a business space.

The Trust’s spokesperson, Pastor Hon. Ita Udo, announced the development while briefing journalists at his residence in Eket. He explained that the initiative is part of the Trust’s mandate to drive sustainable development and economic self-reliance in its host communities.

Pastor Ita, confirmed that out of the 80 trainees, 48 are from Esit-Eket, 24 from Eket, and 8 from other parts of Akwa Ibom State. All beneficiaries were drawn from the immediate host communities of Frontier Oil/Savannah Energy operations.

The empowerment follows a rigorous training program that lasted between 12 and 36 months, depending on the skill set. The 10 approved skill areas are:

1. Aluminum Fabrication

2. Automobile Mechanic

3. Cooling System and Electrical Installation

4. Fashion Design

5. Photography and Cinematography

6. Hair Dressing and Makeup Art

7. Hair Barbing

8. Hotel and Catering Management

9. Upholstery Installation and Repairs.

10. Argon/Stainless Pipe Fittings and Welding Fabrication.

According to Udo, the curriculum and equipment were selected after a detailed needs assessment in both LGAs to ensure the training matches market demand. All tools and machines were procured through a transparent bidding process to guarantee quality and value.

The starter packs are tailored to each trade and include high-value equipment such as 30 units of 7kVA generators, industrial baking ovens and gas cookers, deep freezers, welding machines, drilling machines, Canon professional cameras, aluminum cutting machines, and other trade-specific tools.

Beyond equipment, each trainee will get N200,000 specifically for shop rent to help them launch immediately. During training, the Trust also paid every beneficiary N30,000 monthly as transport allowance, amounting to N36,657,100.00 in total.

Addressing a common challenge where empowerment items are resold, Pastor Udo said the Trust has put strict measures in place. Every beneficiary must sign a legal undertaking not to sell the equipment.

“The legal department of the Settlors and the Trust is fully involved. Anyone who sells the equipment or diverts the rent money will be sued and risk going to jail,” Udo stated.

A joint monitoring team made up of media practitioners, village councils, and the Trust’s Advisory Committee will track all 80 beneficiaries. Udo added that trainees who demonstrate growth and compliance will be considered for further business expansion support.

For transparency, the Trust released its full expenditure on the program:

TRAINING FEES: N20,086,200.00

– 2023: N12,376,200.00

– 2024: N96,000.00

– 2025: N5,864,200.00

– 2026: N1,750,000.00

To ease cost of transportation, to and from the training center, a sum of N30,000 (thirty thousand Naira) per month were given to each of the trainees. This totalled: N36,657,100.00. The Spokeman said.

Furthermore, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were issued to the trainees and this is valued at: N1,117,000.00

Total on Procurement of Starter Packs, stood at *N70,502,136.25*

Pastor Udo noted that the Trust deliberately invested in quality equipment and extended training periods to ensure real impact. “We want beneficiaries who are not just trained, but fully equipped to compete, employ others, and add value to their communities,” he said.

The Trust described the program as a long-term investment in human capital, aimed at reducing unemployment and youth restiveness in its host communities.