Akpabio Wades Into Mobil-Communities Conflict

Governor  Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has intervened in the face off between Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) and its host communities in southern Akwa Ibom. The face off was sparked off by an oil spill on May 1.

Hundreds of indigenes of Ibeno, host community to MPN, on Tuesday,  protested the frequent oil spills from the Qua Iboe oil fields operated by Mobil.

The protests, which disrupted the company’s operations, later spread to Eket and other neighbouring communities in Onna and Eket local government areas.

During the protest, community leaders reportedly prevented officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency from applying dispersants to contain the spill.

They were said to have demanded for compensation for fishermen in the area who incurred loses due to the spill.

Akpabio has scheduled a stakeholders meeting for Tuesday with the management of the oil firm, community leaders and council chairmen in the affected communities. Mr Emmanuel Udoh, the Chairman of Eket local government, who confirmed the arrangement, told newsmen  in Eket on Saturday, that he had restrained the youths from taking the law into their hands.

“It is true that the oil spill from the Qua Iboe Terminal has affected our people who fish in the Atlantic Ocean, but the spill has found its way into the estuaries and creeks where mostly the artisan fishermen operate”.

“Mobil has not done anything tangible and that was why our youths reacted in a peaceful manner to register their grievances”.

“The governor has therefore convened a meeting of all stakeholders to find a truce and we have instructed the women and youths to return to their homes and await the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting,” Udoh said.