Host Community Development Trust Fund (EMOIMEE), in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, has taken another bold step in strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery.
This is in furtherance of its mandate to promote inclusive development in the oil bearing and oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom state.
Last week, EMOIMEE distributed medical equipment and essential drugs to Primary Health Centres in Ikot Ebak and Ikot Akata, as well as Cottage Hospitals in Ikot Abia and Ikot Ekpaw respectively, in a renewed drive to improve access to quality healthcare services in the area.
The intervention, which cuts across the four benefitting communities of Ikot Ebak in Ibiaku Clan, Ikot Akata, Ikpa Ibom Clan, Ikot Abia, Ukpum Minya Clan and Ikot Ekpaw in Ikpa Ikono Clan is part of EMOIMEE’s ongoing health support programme aimed at uplifting the wellbeing of residents in Mkpat Enin.
Our Reporter recalled that, in 2025, EMOIMEE donated substantial medical equipment and drugs to six health centres across Ikpa Ibom, Ibiaku, Ukpum Minya and Ikpa Ikono Clans, reaffirming its long-term commitment to healthcare development in the local government.
Speaking during the official handover ceremonies at the various health facilities, Rev. Obot Ekanem, who represented the management committee of EMOIMEE, said the donations were in line with the core objectives of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF), to address critical social needs, especially in the health sector.
At the Cottage Hospital, Ikot Abia, on behalf of the management committee of EMOIMEE, “We are here to deliver hospital equipment and drugs to support this facility.
“This intervention is made possible through the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which established the Host Community Development Trust Fund to channel three per cent contributions from oil companies into sustainable development for host communities.”
Rev. Ekanem noted that, health remains one of the EMOIMEE’s top priorities, as healthy citizens are the foundation for sustainable development.
At Ikot Ebak Primary Health Centre, he commended the matron for properly maintaining the equipment earlier donated by EMOIMEE and stressed the importance of accountability and proper usage of public assets.
He also thanked the medical consultant, Prof. Etete Peters and vendor, Japeno Services Ltd for supplying authentic and standard medical equipment and drugs.
The EMOIMEE team also visited the Cottage Hospital in Ikot Ekpaw, where similar donations were made.
Rev. Ekanem urged the host community to take ownership of the facility and protect the assets provided by the Trust Fund.
He further pledged EMOIMEE’s support for the renovation of the dilapidated general block, provision of solar lighting, and grading of the access road to improve movement and access to the hospital.
Medical Superintendents of the Cottage Hospitals in Ikot Abia and Ikot Ekpaw, as well as Matrons of the health centres in Ikot Akata and Ikot Ebak, expressed profound appreciation to EMOIMEE management team.
They said, the equipment and drugs would significantly enhance their capacity to render effective and timely healthcare services to patients.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Management Committee, Dr. Joshua Ndoho, advised the health facilities to take full ownership of the donated items by ensuring they are properly utilized and maintained.
He explained that EMOIMEE’s health interventions are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s health development framework.
According to Dr. Ndoho, “HCDTF considers health development a priority in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. These items must be used strictly for the purpose they were meant for and to save lives and improve community wellbeing”.
The Medical Consultant, Prof. Etete Peters, who conducted the EMOIMEE team around the dilapidated Cottage Hospital at Ikot Ekpaw, appealed for urgent intervention to rehabilitate the facility.
While commending EMOIMEE for providing perimeter fencing and medical equipment, he requested support for the construction of wards, doctors’ offices, pharmacy and laboratory blocks, to enable the hospital function optimally.
One of the village heads, Etteidung Boniface Silas Ekanem from Ikot Ebak, thanked EMOIMEE for its continued support to health centres in Mkpat Enin, noting that the intervention would enhance sustainable healthcare delivery in the communities.
He also appealed for the employment of security personnel to safeguard the equipment, as well as the installation of solar lighting to improve safety and service delivery at night.
With these interventions, EMOIMEE has once again demonstrated its resolve to ensure that host communities benefit directly from oil-related resources through sustainable and people-centered development.
