A crisis is brewing in the oil community of Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom State, as leaders, elders, and stakeholders have urged a confrontation with Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser firm operating in the area.
Addressing journalists under the aegis of the apex socio-cultural organisation, Mboho Ikot Abasi (MIA), at Fresh Springs Hotel, Uyo, the State capital, at the weekend, the group expressed dismay at the LGA’s exclusion from the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
They listed environmental degradation and destruction of the ecosystems, operating without a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), invasion and acquisition of over 1,000 hectares of land without compensation, indiscriminate implementation of the local content policy and blocking of access roads into people’s farmlands as some of challenges that should be resolved.
The president general of the group, Mkpisong Jerry Okoko, frowned especially at the firm’s failure to conduct the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required by law.
He recalled that the petrochemical/fertiliser firm never entered into any MoU with the people before moving into the community and farmlands, thereby depriving them of their means of livelihood with impunity.
He said, “We have lost the ecosystem, particularly the forest system, which is necessary in balancing the environment in this area .
“We have lost the farmland that people were depending upon, marine mangrove barriers that shielded the community from wind influx in the ocean among others.
“In our immediate environment here in Ikot Abasi now, when there is windstorm, it is quite different from what it used to be due to removing the barrier in the mangrove protecting the community from wind.
“Other environmental issues include noise pollution as trucks are running 24 hours in the community, causing accidents in the area”.
Okoko therefore urged the state government to intervene for the community and restore environmental rights for the local residents and the environment.
Consequently, he vowed that if all pleas failed, the community would have no option but to take its destiny into its own hands, as various petitions to the firm, the federal, and state governments never elicited positive responses.
“We call on the state government to call Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Ltd and their affiliate companies to order to forestall breakdown of law and order,” Mkpisong Okoko, warned.
Responding, a senior official of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed for calm, assuring the grievances would be looked into at the appropriate time.
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