Helplessness Of Oil Producing Communities

It is true that the bulk of this nation’s wealth is derived
from oil (petroleum). But the Federal Government of Nigeria had not recognised
or appreciated this fact. The major oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom,
Rivers, Imo and Delta States have ever been marginalised by both the government
and the oil companies. This continues to mar the smooth exploration and
exploitation of oil in this country. The oil prospecting companies like Shell
which work in joint ventures with the Federal Government and the Nigeria
National Petrolum Corporation NNPC have undertaken major oil drilling in these
communities including Adada in Uruan, Akwa Ibom State where oil has been
discovered in commercial quantity.

It is understood that the Federal Government in all its
major operations through the N.N.P.C. controls about 60% of whatever contract
it has with the oil prospectors. In the case of Shell in operation in Adadia;
Uruan it has been confirmed by late Chief Bassey Ekpo (Justice Of Peace JP) a
prominent member of Uruan Community said that the Federal Government takes
about 25% of the profit as royalty in all Shell operations in the area. This
kind of profit sharing is also applicable in other communities in the nation
where Shell operates.

Nevertheless, the issue of the Federal Governments refusal
to feed the goose that lay the golden eggs has continued to generate a lot of
problems in Uruan which has been neglected and no tangible development effort
have been made by both the Federal Government and Shell. The failures to
provide social amenities in the area including the stream road despite the huge
profits made from oil is a disregard to the community’s efforts at contributing
to the nation’s wealth. But the adoption of a confrontational  approach by the oil communities would be
counterproductive to the stability of the country.

It therefore would be of immense value in the oil producing
companies come to the assistance of the communities they drill oil from and
provide the necessary infrastructure and amenities. The long-term benefits the
nation has derived from oil cannot be over-emphasised but the use of aggression
and intimidation by the oil producing communities to press their request is
tantamount to confrontation. Thus, the oil producing communities in their bid
to ask for compensation attach the prospectors’ installations instead of directing
their grievances and collect royalties.

The oil and Mineral Producing Area Development Commission
was created so that the problems of the oil producing areas would be addressed
and adequate compensation be granted to all oil producing areas would be addressed
and adequate compensation be granted to all producing communities. The Shell
P.D.C. and Adadia, Uruan and Anakpa community would not have reached a chaos
level if Shell had embarked a development project in the area. The award of
scholarship to the indigenes of the community and the control of environmental
pollution in the area are some vital areas oil-producing companies should help
communities where they carry out operations.

The need for OMPADEC now is NUPENG, a Federal Government
agency established by Decree No. 34 of 1993 to address the difficulties and
suffering of all bearing communities have so far been abandoned by the
commission. The agitation in several oil bearing areas for accelerated
development lend credence to this fact. The numerous problems of oil bearing
communities has made it mandatory for the companies and government to come the
aid of these communities. Indigenes of these areas should be placed on jobs and
if the employment opportunities of these people are much, then most of such
communities will not have anything to complain.

At the meeting of central Uruan oil mineral bearing
community held in the palace of His Highness Edidem Atakpo Nicholas Eyo Ukpong,
in Akwa Ibom State Uyo, on 2nd August last year.

The following resolution were made known by demanding of the
development and distribution plan in terms of road construction and other
social amenities for the people in the area of operation. But not to pay
compensation to any individual in the community.

It is pertinent to note that the entire people of central
Uruan do hereby appeal to SPDC to consider our Uruan in scheme of operation and
development as well as, the president of Uruan Port Harcourt Branch Mr
Christopher Edet Eyo, he is responsible person on this subject.

The manager sustainable community development Shell SPDC
Port Harcourt should take a passionate look at, by making priority in normal
assistance during oil exploration.

During the third Republic in which the Local and the State
Governments feature prominently without a president Mr Ita Essien, the former
Local Government Chairman could not rehabilitate the market place in Adadia
Uruan Community as well as jetty within the beach which has continued wreak
havoc in the accessibility of the market place.

A leadership of council Chairman Lt. Col. E. Bassey rtd and
incumbent Hon. Barrister Nyong Etim Udoh Chairman, renowned Roberta Nyong Uruan
Local Government Chairlady in Akwa Ibom State should take the bull by the horn.
In so doing her name will be printed on the sands of time.