Ekid union protests host community fund distribution

EKID Peoples Union (EPU) has protested the distribution formula for the implementation of Host Community Trust Fund (HCTF), released recently.

Under the proposed distribution, seven councils, namely Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Mbo are given 11.39 per cent under the ‘Access to 2 Leases’; while, Ibeno has 14.89 per cent. The additional 3.5 per cent is said to be accounted for by ‘Designated Facility.’

In his reaction, EPU President, Dr Samuel Udonsak, noted that apart from ExxonMobil’s Terminal Facility, which is hosted on Ekid land, its other facilities like the Housing Estate and the Airstrip are also in Ekid land and Ekid people should be the beneficiary of the 3.5 per cent set aside for ‘Designated Facility’.

In another related development, the Union has written to the state government, requesting the correct relisting of Ekid villages that have been wrongly identified as Ibeno villages. Udonsak identified the villages as Ine Akpautong, Okposo I, Okposo 11, Eto Esek, Okom Ita and Itak Idim Ekpe.

Others are Atia (New Barracks), Itak Ifaha, Itak Idim Ukpa, Ndito Eka Iba, Usuk Ukim Aquaha, and Nta Ikang. He said it gives the wrong impression that Ekid territories are now part of Ibeno Council.