…as crisis over EMOIMEE takes new dimension
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐀.- A malicious Propaganda Taken Too Far.
By Assam Abia.
Having carefully followed, examined and anatomized the depth of a recent online report of the arrest of Barrister Bassey Dan Abia over allegations bothering on fraud in the administration of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), funds, i wish to state that the report is a malicious propaganda taken too far, to tarnish, besmirch and disparage the hard earned reputation of a gentleman so much revered in Ekid nation. The Mkpisong of Ekid.
Barrister Bassey Dan Abia was never arrested by the DSS, he was rather politely invited by the police for questioning, based on a frivolous petition by some refractory youths of Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The said online publication referred to Barrister Abia as secretary of the EMOIMEE, HCDT. The last i checked, Mkpisong Bassey Dan Abia is not the secretary of the mentioned body. By inferring on him as secretary, is a deliberate calculation to mislead the public, and incite hatred, ignominy and ridicule.
The report also stated that after the arrest, Barrister Abia was granted bail on health grounds. To infer such is a vixnenish agitprop, and actionable.
The Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, which gave birth to EMOIMEE and the Host Community Development Trust, HCDT was drafted and conditioned in such a way that makes embezzlement and mismanagement of funds very impossible. The allegation that Barrister Dan Abia and others stole a whooping #3.6 billion from Esit Eket HCDT, looks like a fata morgana, because HCDT funds are not paid to individuals, it is kept in designated accounts by the Settlor and administered centrally by the Trust in conjunction with the Settlor and NUPRC, which is the regulator. Such an allegation is calculated to injure the reputation of Mkpisong Bassey Dan Abia.
When contacted, Mkpisong Bassey Dan Abia affirmed that he is not a signatory to the HCDT fund account and has never received a dime from the Settlor or the Trust for and on behalf of Esit Eket community in the manner or style alleged by the petitioners.
It should be of note that the Trust as the name EMOIMEE implies, is made up of seven (7) Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. Esit Eket only forms part of the Trust, which is administered centrally, not through members of the Trust from Esit Eket.
The spurious allegations against Abia must have stemmed from a political squabble and misunderstanding hidden within the marrow of unresolved incertitudes.
Without sounding speculative, available facts revealed that the attack on Dan Abia is premeditated and laced with greed. The purveyors of the allegations had earlier complained of “The interest of Esit Eket media personnel being overlooked”. They demanded to be carried along in the management of the Trust funds, failure which will attract a whang. The Trust has no room for such a third party.
Mkpisiong Abia, a former member of the House of Representative has raised the alarm over threat to his life and has resolved to remain resolute on the path of justice, equity and transparency during and after his tenure with EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust. He has called on the public to disregard the allegations and purported arrest as an arrow-shot from his detractors.