PIA IN ACTION: EMOIMEE HCDT EMPOWERS 188 EKET YOUTHS WITH OIL, GAS, ICT, AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS.

PIA IN ACTION: EMOIMEE HCDT EMPOWERS 188 EKET YOUTHS WITH OIL, GAS, ICT, AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS.

– Dangles Five Hundred Thousand Naira Starter Grants.

By Daniel Edon

The Eket-EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, HCDT, operating under the NNPC/SEPLAT Joint Venture, has restated its commitment to implementing the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, for the benefit of host communities in Eket Local Government Area.

The reaffirmation was made during the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 Skills Empowerment Training held at Animeks Auditorium in Eket, August, 5.

Speaking at the event, the Eket LGA representative on the Board of Trustees of EMOIMEE HCDT, Air Commodore Charles Uso, Rtd., said the Trust remains dedicated to transparent and effective utilisation of PIA resources for host community development.

He disclosed that 188 youths drawn from the 14 wards in Eket LGA have been selected for the 2026 programme.

According to him, the breakdown includes: 40 trainees for ICT, 40 for fashion design, 40 for catering, 20 each for hairdressing and barbing, and 28 for mid-level oil and gas maintenance operations.

“At the end of the three-month training, each successful trainee will receive a starter pack relevant to their skill area, such as laptops, electric sewing machines, cookers with oven, plus a grant of Five Hundred Thousand Naira each,” he stated.

He added that trainees in the oil and gas category will receive international certification to make them employable in the industry.

Stakeholders at the event urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously for personal and community development.

In goodwill messages, the Paramount Ruler of Eket LGA, HRM Edidem E.C. Abia, the Vice Chairman of Eket LGA, Mrs. Inyang Akpawan, who represented the Executive Chairman, and Pastor Ita Umo commended the Trust for its transparency and accountability in managing community resources.

The Paramount Ruler noted that the skills programme is one of the key initiatives of the Trust aimed at equipping youths with vocational skills to drive self-reliance and economic growth.

“Today we are witnessing the second flag-off of this initiative. We commend your leadership, trust and integrity in your administration,” he said.

With over 300 youths already trained under the Eket EMOIMEE HCDT programme, the initiative is reshaping the socio-economic landscape of Eket in line with PIA objectives.

In 2025, the Trust trained 180 youths in four areas: 40 in oil and gas maintenance, 40 in ICT, 40 in fashion and design, and 60 in cake making and pastries. Beneficiaries also received starter packs, while oil and gas trainees were assisted with relevant certification documents.