The Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that all International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta region pay compensations to communities affected by their oil exploration and exploitation activities. The group also urged the President to initiate an investigation into the alleged environmental pollution and human rights abuses carried out by these multinational corporations.
In a statement jointly signed by the President-General of the group, Dr. Ufot Phenson, and the Secretary, Emmanuel Bassey, the group emphasized that the recent divestment moves by the IOCs were merely attempts to evade their responsibilities of cleaning up the environment and providing compensation. They called on the Federal Government to hold the oil companies accountable and ensure they remediate the pollution caused by their operations.
Phenson expressed deep concern over the suffering endured by the people of Akwa Ibom, particularly those living in oil-bearing communities, due to frequent oil spillages and gas flaring. These activities have led to the pollution of drinking water sources, contamination of seafood, and damage to residential and business buildings in the area.
The group highlighted that the divestment strategy employed by the IOCs was being used as an excuse to avoid compensating the affected communities. They urged the Federal Government to prevent any company wishing to divest from shirking its responsibility and ensure that the environment is restored to its original state.
Phenson also took the opportunity to congratulate President Bola Tinubu and the President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on their respective positions. He acknowledged that their leadership would bring balance to the political equation in terms of representation. Additionally, Phenson commended Tinubu for his initiatives in the power sector, provision of loans to financially disadvantaged students, and the introduction of a data protection bill, considering these as positive developments for the nation.
