Ex-militants from Akwa Ibom have accused Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) of not complimenting the government’s gesture for peace in the Niger Delta region.

The youths under the auspices of Ex-Niger Delta Agitators Forum in Akwa Ibom, decried the neglect of the oil communities by the company, an affiliate of U.S. energy firm, ExxonMobil.

The Secretary of the forum, Mr Edoho Paul, told our source on Monday, that oil firms operating in the region were expected to collaborate with the Federal Government in creating jobs for the erstwhile restive youths.

“It is rather unfortunate that oil firms operating in the Niger Delta region are yet to do their part in the amnesty progamme of the Federal Government to address the neglect of the region.

“The companies are silent and in our own state in Akwa Ibom we have approached Mobil and, we observed that they systematically excluded the oil communities over the years from their operations,’’ he said.

Paul said the ex-militants had taken steps to get the attention of the oil firm by staging a peaceful demonstration last week to draw its attention to the continued neglect of Akwa Ibom oil producing communities.

According to him, the ex-militants have also called for the relocation of the headquarters of the oil firm from Lagos to Akwa Ibom in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government.

Paul further said the operations of Mobil in Akwa Ibom were yet to rub off on the economy of the state as most of its employees paid their taxes to other states.

He said the development had deprived the state of millions of naira in tax revenue.

“We have asked them to ensure that their service companies are compelled to open their project offices within the state to create jobs for the ex-militants. “This is very important because the oil firms are enjoying the peace ushered in by the amnesty programme but have not supported it,” Paul said.

He noted that as transformed and law-abiding citizens, the youths had resolved to adopt non-violent approach in getting the oil firm to accommodate them.

He explained that due to this approach, Mobil had also enjoyed uninterrupted operations which had resulted to improved oil output in the last few years.

Paul urged the oil firm to invest in the post amnesty scheme by developing social amenities for the host communities.

On his part, Mr Williams Mkpa, a community leader in Ibeno, said the community had suffered several oil spills as a result the activities at the Qua Iboe terminal.

He said Mobil had declined to pay compensation to affected fishermen.

“We are compelled to seek legal redress and I can tell you that we have several pending cases with Mobil because they are insensitive to the cry of members of their host community.

“The level of underdevelopment in Ibeno, where Mobil has operated for over 40 years, is like an open wound for all to see, so what the ex-militants are agitating for is justified,’’ Mkpa  said.