The residents of the Mkpanak group of villages in the Ibeno local government area have been reassured by the Akwa Ibom State administration that plans are in place to lessen the effects of the oil leaks, despite the ongoing demonstrations about spills originating from ExxonMobil’s pipelines.
The government promised prompt repair to calm the concerns of the demonstrating locals, who bemoaned how frequent crude oil spills had destroyed farmlands, aquatic life, and rivers, and had negatively impacted their main source of income.
During a joint investigative session (JIS) including delegations from the Environment Ministry and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) who toured affected areas yesterday, Chief Uno Etim Uno, the commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, prayed for peace.
Chief Uno, accompanied by Mrs. Iquo Abia, the permanent secretary, praised the Mkpanak people for their nonviolent response to the contentious situation and for adhering to the law. She noted that their awareness of pertinent environmental regulations had guided their protest.
The commissioner expressed remorse for the harm that oil spills have to the aquatic ecosystem and the community’s overall economic well-being. He also raised awareness among the public about his ministry’s regulatory authority.
He pledged the government’s support for a positive working relationship with NOSDRA in order to lessen the dangerous effects of oil spills and guarantee the safety of the host community.
In a separate speech, NOSDRA’s director general (DG), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, praised the state government for its environmental management initiatives and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to tackling the pressing environmental protection issues under President Bola Tinubu.
Engineer Woke called on the protesting youths to desist from their actions and issued a dire warning, saying that only in an environment of peace would the federal government be able to work with other pertinent parties to control ExxonMobil’s operations and enforce the cleanup of oil spills.
In his reply, Mkpanak village chief Obong Denis Esenem thanked the joint investigation team for their dedication to maintaining the community’s peace and well-being.
He encouraged the students to follow reason and choose peace, and he expressed faith in the delegation’s ability to mediate amicable interactions between the host community and ExxonMobil management as well as enforce the cleanup operation.
In response, Comrade Isokobo Abakan, the youth president of Mkpanak, spoke on behalf of the youths of the Inuaeyen Ikot and Iwuokpon villages. He bemoaned the losses incurred by the locals due to the oil spills, which he said were made worse by ExxonMobil’s insensitive management, and he urged the government to assist them.
