Host community in A’ Ibom Demands Payment of N250bn Compensations From oil Firms

….Threatens to shut firms operations for shunning meetings

Concerned citizens of Iko Town Association in Eastern Obolo Local government area of  Akwa Ibom State haves demanded for a whopping N250bn compensation from oil producing companies for their mindless, lawless, and criminal desecration of sacred land in the community.

The group, also, threatened to shut operations of the oil companies operating in the area, who had refused to attend meetings convened to chart a new cause and enhance their operations in the community.

The community, lamented that efforts to call on the operating companies for a meeting to resolve issues affecting the community have been rebuffed while the company devised a divide and rule tactics to shortchange them .

Our Correspondent in his fact findings, discovered 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 define 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 it lawyer, Barrister Jude Effiong, the group expressed  fears that such attitudes may result to another crisis.

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 the sum of N250bn compensation, the group urged Nigeria Petroleum Development Development to convene a meeting with the host community of Iko Town 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 have resorted to divide and rule tactics in their 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 their operations.

“I am not in position to speak more about the Ikot Town oil field matter. I can only refer you to the Public Affairs Department of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL) for details. I can’t speak more on this matter please”, he pleaded.