The Board Member, EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust (HCDT-MBO), Dr Asuquo Inuikim has reiterated the commitment of the EMOIMEE HCDT to ensuring the development of oil impacted communities.
Engr Inuikim stated this while delivering a welcome address at the Primary Health Centre, Okobo Ebughu, during the flag-off ceremony of the Mbo EMOIMEE Medical Workshop.
He said the Trust, put in place by the NNPC/MPN JV through the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was committed to improving the health and well-being of its people, adding that the exercise was “a critical mandate of the Trust, aligning with the Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat diseases.”
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Recalling that the Trust was inaugurated in July 2023, following the promulgation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, which aimed to address the concerns of oil-bearing communities, Chief Inuikim outlined the programmes of the Trust, including “offering N400,000 worth of scholarships to each of 200 undergraduates and floating an empowerment scheme to support small and medium-scale businesses.”
The maintained that the exercise by the EMOIMEE HCDT was in collaboration with the Global Hands Medical Foundation.
He said, “The week-long Medical Workshop covers five communities in Mbo LGA and neighbouring areas, providing daily seminars, lectures, and trainings on various medical fields.
“The event with the theme, “Promoting the Health and Well-being of Mbo Citizens,” has achieved tremendous success, capturing thousands of participants through surgeries, eye surgeries, dental cases, and general health issues.”
While preforming the flag-off of the event, the Chairman, EMOIMEE HCDT, Senator Helen Esuene, explained that EMOIMEE was an acronym for the seven local government areas: Eket, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Eastern Obolo and Esit Eket, that form the Trust.
Commending the Mbo Board Member, Management and Advisory Committees members for their efforts, the former First Lady promised that EMOIMEE would renovate and provide essential equipment for effective management of the medical centre.
“It gladdens my heart to be here in this event. We are just one year old and we have not done badly. We have made necessary arrangements to be on a sure foundation.
“Within the one year, EMOIMEE has given about 2,000 scholarships in the seven LGAs. We have done empowerments at various levels which has captured a lot of people.
“We will completely renovate it, fence it round, provide borehole, security, quarters for at least two workers, and bus services. I appeal to the community to take ownership and protect the interventions being put in place.”
In his brief report during the event, the Medical Consultant representing the Global Hands Medical Foundation, Dr Titus Antai said about 2,800 people were captured during the programme with over 1200 reading glasses given out, nearly 200 surgeries, including eye surgeries, dental care and other medical services being rendered free-of-charge.
Also speaking at the event were the village head of Abiakowo, Chief Asuquo Antai; the national youth president of Ebughu Community, Comrade Asuquo Ofose and a Management Committee (MC) Member, Chief Edet E. Okon, who all lauded EMOIMEE for their interventions.
Also in attendance were thebBoard Member representing Ikot Abasi, Chief Emmanuel Ntuk; the Chairman, MC, Dr Linus Okon; Secretary MC, Dr Joshua Mboho; Member MC, Engr Tom Umoh. Others from Mbo Team were: Executive Member, MC, Chief Ulo Ante Uye and Member, Advisory Committee (AC), Chief Ita Ntekim.
Highpoint of the flag-off ceremony were the inspection of both the medical facility and progress of work at the medical workshop.
