Business
A’Ibom Communities Protest Non-Implementation Of MoU
No fewer than 1,000 residents of Edo community in Esit Eket, Akwa Ibom on Thursday disrupted construction activities at the Uquo Marginal oil fields.
The protest was against the oil firm’s failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the community and Septa Energy company.
The protesters, comprising women, youths and elders from Edo community, carried placards and chanted, urging the oil firm to honour its obligations
Reports have it that the demonstrators blockaded the entrance to the oil firm’s Central Gas Processing Facility being constructed by Septa Energy.
Deaconess Grace Akpata, a woman leader in the community, said the women were disappointed that officials of Septa Energy declined to honour its promises at a meeting held in December 2011.
“We are here because the Christmas package they promised us last year has not reached the women.”
A team of armed security men were seen strategically deployed within the premises of the gas plant.
The Chairman of the Association of Erectors, Riggers and Scaffolders of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom Chapter, Henry Ekong, said the association was not happy with the violation of operational area quota.
“I am representing riggers, erectors and scaffolders of Nigeria. We are a trade union today gathered here in the front of the central processing facility to express our grievances over what the companies the service operators are doing to the trade union.
“From the MoU they signed with the community, with the government representatives and the youth communities, the MoU stipulated that our youths should partake fully up to 60 to 70 per cent of this project.