Akwa Ibom community threatens to shut oil firms for allegedly boycotting meetings

The people of Iko Town, Eastern Obollo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have threatened
to shut the operations of some oil firms in their community over alleged refusal to attend meetings called to address issues affecting them.

Members of the community, under the umbrella of Concerned citizens of Iko Town Association, regretted that the companies in the past turned down every attempt made to have a meeting where all issues will be resolved.

It was gathered that the companies operating the Oil Mining Lease field, OML13, in partnership with Nigeria Petroleum Development Company,NPDC, and Shell Petroleum Development company, SPDC, between 1970 and 1996, did so without a clear defined Memorandum of Understanding with Iko community .

Other companies in the oil drilling deal partnering with Nigeria petroleum development company include Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd and Natural Oil Field Services Ltd, while NNPCL remains the sole owner and licensed operator of the oil mining field in Iko Town .

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company through its lawyer, Barrister Jude Effiong, the community expressed fears that such attitudes may result to another crisis.

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The letter reads in part, “We put it to you that you have succeeded in destroying our client but God does not say so, amen.

“Environmental advocates described environment as life; it’s the basis of sustenance. It’s from it that it inhabitants eke out a living. The environment is very central to people’s existence. We make bold to state that your businesses have left out client more impoverished and their environment rendered in hospitable.”

While demanding payment of N250 billion compensation for the “mindless/lawless/criminal desecration of sacred land” and others, the community urged NPDC to convene a meeting to nip impending crisis in the bud.

Addressing newsmen in Uyo on Monday, the Chairman of Concerned Citizens of Iko Town Association, Chief Frank Unyongs, said NPDC has resorted to divide and rule tactics in its approach to settle issues with the Iko community, adding that such attitudes would not help in tackling Community Relations issues for the company.

“Shell blindfolded our forefathers after the civil war . They invaded Iko Town in Eastern Obolo local government , Akwa Ibom state . They started onshore oil exploration and drilling without any MOU with our people as they were illiterate fishermen.

“But In 2007, there was a protest by the community which lasted for 52 days and a position paper was presented to them .

“This happened before the Niger Delta agitations . The protest drew the attention of Senate Committee on Oil and Gas which visited the area in 2019.

“NPDC is taking us for granted . They should meet with Concerned Citizens of Iko Town Association and conclude the meeting which they have started without further delay and stop playing pranks with the people,” he said.

Reacting, the Manager, Community Relations of Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, Dahiru Abubakar, said the company has been doing everything possible to sustain community relationship with host communities in its operations.