By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

Emadeb Exploration and Production Limited (Emadeb E&P) has pledged to support its host communities in Akwa Ibom State following the establishment of the Emadeb-Eastern Obolo-Ibeno Host Communities Development Trust under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The company said it remains committed to fulfilling all its obligations to the Trust as it advances plans for the development of its Ibom Field located on Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 236.

The assurance was given during an inaugural engagement between the company’s leadership and members of the seven-member Board of Trustees of the Host Communities Development Trust in Uyo.

The Board, chaired by Mr Dominic Ekpe, was inaugurated in April 2026 in line with the provisions of the PIA. The meeting marked the first formal engagement between Emadeb E&P and the Trust since its establishment.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Debo Olujimi, said the company would conduct its operations responsibly and in the best interest of the host communities of Eastern Obolo and Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

He assured the Board that Emadeb E&P would engage with the Trust with integrity, transparency and openness, while seeking cooperation to strengthen its administrative structures as the company completes the requirements for its operational licence.

“We know that what we have come to do in Eastern Obolo and Ibeno communities is for the betterment of these communities, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria,” Olujimi said.

“I want you to rest assured that Emadeb E&P will do the needful. Deep offshore exploration is a highly technical and capital-intensive endeavour, and by God’s grace we have successfully completed that phase. It is now time to work together in line with the plans we had already emplaced.”

He reiterated that the Host Communities Development Trust remains central to the company’s community relations strategy and pledged continued collaboration with the Board and host communities to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr Dominic Ekpe, commended the company’s management for initiating the engagement and called for support to facilitate the Trust’s operational take-off.

Ekpe specifically requested the provision of administrative infrastructure and funding required for the effective functioning of the Trust.

As part of its stakeholder engagement programme, Emadeb E&P also paid separate courtesy visits to the Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Chief Harry John Etetor, and the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Owong Amb. Prof. Effiong Bassey Archianga.

During the visits, Olujimi assured the traditional rulers that the company would remain committed to its corporate social responsibility obligations and comply fully with all host community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The monarchs, in turn, welcomed the company’s engagement and offered prayers for the success and safety of its operations within their communities.