By Isaiah Eka

An NGO, Connected Development (CODE), has trained members of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in Akwa Ibom on effective projects and funds management techniques.

The one-day workshop, which aimed to equip members of HCDT in Akwa Ibom with project management and development skills, was organised in collaboration with Oxfam Foundation.

Speaking at the workshop in Uyo on Thursday, CODE’s Programmes Officer, Mr Abdulazeez Hussani, said the workshop would also equip participants with project management, resource mobilisation and community development skills.

Hussani urged the HCDT members to thoroughly interface with community dwellers before embarking on any project in order to ensure acceptance.

The programmes officer further urged them to ensure proper management and utilisation of the funds allocated to them for community development projects.

He stated that the workshop was also to equip host community trust members on grievance addressing mechanisms, saying, “this is critical in safeguarding community rights around the Petroleum Industry Act”

“We are currently in Uyo to engage with HCDT members, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, settlers and government officials.

“The essence is to strengthen the capacity of this category of stakeholders in project management, resource mobilisation and communication,” he said.

Hussani urged HCDT members to ensure transparency in handling projects in their respective communities, adding,”ensure proper communication, it is the key to effective engagement”

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Nsikak Ekong, commended CODE for organising the workshop, describing it as an essential step towards equipping host communities with project and resource management skills.

Represented by Mr Idongesit Essen, a Director in the ministry, Ekong urged HCDT members to ensure transparent engagement and prudent management of resources.

He said that the workshop was in line with the state government’s policy on grassroots empowerment, transparency, and sustainable community development.

One of the participants, Dr Umana Umana, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the training would enhance synergy among host community development trust members.

Umana, a member of Eket HCDT, said that the training had equipped host community development trust members with the skills to serve better.

“The training has added value to us, we can now go back to re-strategise, identify projects, communicate with the people, and implement such projects with transparency,” he said.

NAN reports that participants at the training workshop were drawn from oil producing communities across the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Azubuike Okeh