A’Ibom sues for peace as youth clamp down on ExxonMobil facilities

FOR two weeks running, angry youths from the oil producing communities of Akwa Ibom State have continued to occupy the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) facility of ExxonMobil at Mkpanak, in Ibeno Local Government Area, in protest over oil spills suspected to be emanating from its plant.

Some fishermen, who spoke to correspondents in Ibeno, lamented that the spill had spread to Inuaeyet Ikot, Ndito Eka Iba, Okposo, Utan and Ine Akpautong areas of Iwokpom.

“Our farmlands, fishing and other maritime activities, which remain our only source of livelihood have been completely destroyed”, Asuquo Edigheyong, a stranded fisherman told the Nigerian Tribune.

Speaking separately, the youths President of Mkpanak, Peter Peter Afaiko; that of Inuaeyid, Itrechio Kingsley and Moses Imoh, Chairman of Ibeno Youths Presidents’ Forum (IYPF), said “operation occupy Mobil continues until our demands are met”.

“We want Mobil to negotiate with us on how and when to clean the spill and adequate compensation because our waters with aquatic lives and farmlands have been seriously polluted by frequent oil spill from Mobil facility”, Imoh stressed.

The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong Effiong Achianga, confirmed the spill, saying “I have been briefed by the chairman of the Council”, adding that ExxonMobil was reluctant to claim the spill emanated from its facility.

“We are waiting for ExxonMobil to clean the spill and to negotiate for compensation”, Achianga, who doubles as the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, added.

The Commissioner in-charge of Transport and Petroleum Affairs, Mr. Orman Esin, said he had visited the area in order to calm the frayed nerves of the angry youths, promising to investigate the matter.

He said: “Immediately I heard of the protest, I rushed to the area to calm the situation”.

“I have talked to the protesters to remain calm and peaceful. I also spoke with the paramount ruler to calm the protesting youths while we try to establish whether the spill came from Mobil facility”, he said.

According to Esin, “when the truth is established as to where the spill came from, we will summon stakeholders meeting on how to address the problem”, he said and enjoined the protesting youths not to take the laws into their hands.

Worried by the magnitude of the problem and ExxonMobil’s refusal to own up that the spill emanated from its facility, the House of Assembly has taken up the matter.

This followed “a matter of urgent public importance” brought before the plenary at the weekend by the member representing Ibeno\Esit Eket in the House, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh.

“Because of the oil spill, angry youths have barricaded the road leading to the company for the past two weeks, staging peaceful protest at the entrance to the QIT”.

While urging members to rise against such inhuman practices by the American oil giant, Akpanusoh was quick to appeal to the State government to impress it on ExxonMobil to do the needful by cleaning the spill as well as pay commensurate compensation.

“Mobil should be made to adopt international best practices in checking incessant oil spills and also engage the youths and communities positively”, he stressed.

However, the Speaker, Hon. Onofiok Luke (Nsit Ubium), who presided over the session commended the Ibeno\Esit Eket Lawmaker for rising up for his people and committed the case to the joint Committee on Petroleum and Environment chaired by Hon. Otobong Jonathan (Ukanafun).

Meanwhile, Mobil has denied the spill emanated from its facility.

A statement from the Manager in-charge of Government and Public Affairs at ExxonMobil, Mr. Ogechukwu Udeagha, reads: “The company confirms that no oil was spilled from any of its facility.

“Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) remains committed to providing environmentally safe operations and ensuring that the health and environment of our neighbouring communities are protected”.