A’Ibom Communities Demand Oil Producing Areas Commission

Oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom have requested the state government to establish a commission that will address their challenges.

Former Senator and community leader in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Mr Etang Umoyo, told newsmen  in Uyo on Friday, that such a commission was needed to solve the problems arising from oil production.

Umoyo, who spoke on the outcome of a tripartite meeting of oil producing communities, state government and ExxonMobil, said the company had agreed to step up its social responsibilities to the host communities.

He said that Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno councils – the core host communities of ExxonMobil, had been directed to raise a five-man committee to discuss the May 1oil spill.

“The committee will make recommendations to ExxonMobil on how to bring succor to those affected by the oil spill.

“Over the years, we have had oil spill from ExxonMobil facilities. The company had been so insensitive to the issue and had not paid adequate compensation,” Umoyo alleged.

He said the meeting afforded the host communities the opportunity to address the state government on the “antics of the oil company playing one host community against the other”.

The Chairman of Eket Local Government, Mr Emmanuel Udoh, said the meeting urged the state government to abide by the High Court Ruling of 2002 which directed government to draw up an administrative map of the littoral council areas.

Udoh said the host communities had complained of assault on women protesters by Mobil security agents during May 1 oil spill at Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno.

According to him, that state government has advised the company to show concern for the host communities.

Udoh, who expressed hope that ExxonMobil will turn a new leaf, added that the communities also demanded a review of the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

A Public Affairs official of ExxonMobil told The Tide on Sunday that the meeting yielded fruitful results that would foster better community relations.