Akwa Ibom Host Communities Condemn Mobil Oil Producing

ON the 9^th November, 2012, there was a major oil spill from one of the offshore facilities of Mobil Producing Nig. Unlimited and the result of the spill was conspicuous in and around the entire operational areas/ Core Communities of MPNU. Arising from the spill, the Core Communities made demands for the payment of adequate financial compensation on MPNU.

MPNU admitted the occurrence of the spill in its communication to the state, Local Governments and the Leadership of the various communities. MPNU at several fora made a commitment to react accordingly in due course as it contended that the process of determining the quantum of spill and the corresponding compensation sum and variables was still ongoing with the statutory regulatory agencies including the DPR and NOSDRA.

 In the interface between the Core Communities and MPNU over the payment of the oil spill compensation, MPNU on a letter dated 15^th June, 2013 and in a publication of Pioneer newspaper of 27^th October, 2013, offered to carry out some projects in its Core Communities in particular and in other parts of the state as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities to its Host communities and state. This may have been an attempt to redeem its failure in corporate social responsibilities for the last 15 years during which MPNU had been claiming that they have paid their statutory obligations to the various governments and contributed to the NDDC.

The demands by the Core Communities on MPNU for the compensation for oil spill persisted and this culminated in the peaceful protest by the communities which lasted for 10 days. The protest was suspended at the intervention of Akwa Ibom State Government after an offer to mediate between the Core Communities and MPNU.

The above mentioned offer to mediate  led to the meeting between  the Technical Committee of the Core Communities and the representatives of the management of MPNU on Monday the 4th day of November,2013 at the conference room of the Secretary to Government of Akwa Ibom state. In the meeting, the Core Communities presented its position paper and MPNU acknowledged the rights of the communities and therefore considered their demands reasonable but pleaded for time not exceeding Thursday the 14^th November, 2013 to enable the Board of MPNU to meet and ratify the demands.

November 14^th, 2013 has lapsed and communities have again become very restive arising from the intransigence of MPNU. We are familiar with all the antics of MPNU – divide and rule, delay tactics, sponsoring derogatory and inciting stories, seeking Government protection on its abdication of its Statutory Responsibilities, etc. it was this attitude that led to the kidnapping of the Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket L.G.A and attacks on other Paramount Rulers of Ibeno, Eket and Onna. 

It has come to a point where the Core Communities can no longer contend these antics. We are also aware that Exxon being the parent company of MPNU has a notoriety of failure to meet its obligations such as payment of compensation for oil spill to the extent that they had to be sent away from other countries. This and similar attitude account for their consistent declaration of outrageous profit to the consternation of other oil companies and the amazement of the United States Congress.

Since 1998, the Core Communities have suffered sufficient deprivations and a near total exclusion from the benefits of its operation.

Consequent upon the fore going, the Core Communities wish to state emphatically as follows:

1.     That MPNU should immediately comply with all the requests at the meeting of 4^thNovember, 2013.

2.     That failure to do so might elicit further very strong reactions from   the Core Communities.

THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IS AUTHORIZED BY:-

1.     His Eminence, Akwa Edidem (Dr) Akpabio U. Ukpa,

        Oku Ibom III, Chairman of the Forum

        Paramount Ruler of Onna.

2.     HRM Edidem Ubong P. Assam II

        Aso I of Esit Eket

        Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket.

3.     HRM Edidem N.J.E Oduenyie Jp

        Atara Ekid, Enin Akwa Afaha III

        Paramount Ruler of Eket.

4.     HRM Owong (Dr) Effiong B. Archianga

        Akwaha Owong Ibeno – Spokeman of the forum

        Paramount Ruler of Ibeno.

5.     Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien

        Attah of Ekid

        Chairman Technical Committee

6.     Pastor (Hon) Isaiah W. Abia

        Coordinating Secretary

7.     Proffesor Etie Ben Akpan

        Member Technical Committee

8.     High Chief Williams Mkpah

        Member Technical Committee

9.     Chief Okon Akpan Owong

        Member Technical Committee

10.   Barr. Bassey Nkanang

        Member Technical Committee

11.   Chief Ime M. Utin

        Member Technical Committee

12.   Chief Bassey Udo Akpan

        Member Technical Committee

13.   Rt. Hon. Imo Udobia

        Member Technical Committee