A group of Niger Delta agitators
have asked multinational oil companies out of Akwa Ibom State or risk being
attacked.
The group, under the aegis of
Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, said its decision was based on
dissatisfaction with the companies over their neglect of riverine communities
in Akwa Ibom.
In a statement on Monday by
self-styled General John Duku of the Niger Delta Watchdogs, the agitators said
the level of injustice, neglect, marginalisation, and untold hardship the
communities suffer under the multinational oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom
were no longer bearable.
The agitators observed that
despite being in the business of exploring and exploiting oil from these
communities for over 30 years, the multinational oil companies had completely
abandoned their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) in the areas of
scholarships, employment, and empowerment for its host communities.
Part of the statement reads: “All
these multinational oil and servicing companies do not have even a liaison
office in the state.
“Ninety percent of their
workforce is non-indigenes of the state, the remaining 10 percent they pick
from Akwa Ibom are place under contract with meagre payment and without any
entitlement.
“It is also noted that none of
these companies, even their representatives, deem it necessary to visit their
host communities.
“This is a satanic act and we
shall handle it the way and manner they would feel the same pain that
communities have been passing through.
“Worst still is the fact that
Oriental Energy Resources management believes and boasts that with the personal
relationship of the Managing Director, Alhaji Muhammed Indimi, as an in-law to
the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
President Muhammadu Buhari, his company and assets are untouchable, thus he can
do whatever he likes, citing the recent case between Oriental Energy and Afren
Resources Nigeria Limited which was ruled in his favour.
“From our findings, we have
discovered that the Community Affairs Department in all these multinational oil
companies are in the business of conniving with traditional rulers, community
leaders and some government officials to fraudulently steal, embezzle, and
criminally defraud the core oil producing communities of monies meant for community
development and every other benefits that should have accrued to the oil
producing communities.
“The situation is the same in all
the core oil producing LGAs of the state.
“The worst is the situation we
met at Effiat coastal communities of Mbo LGA, Amadaka in Eastern Obolo LGA,
Ibeno LGA, Esit Eket LGA and many others.
“We, therefore, call on the
government to ensure the withdrawal of the certificates of these criminal
traditional rulers.
“Recall that during the height of
crisis in the Niger Delta region, Akwa Ibom State was peaceful, that is why
these multinational oil & services companies are taking undue advantage of
the people of the state as there is peace in the region.
“It is well noted that the remote
causes of the Niger Delta struggles was for emancipation from injustice,
neglect, and marginalisation.”
“We shall immediately commence
mobilisation of all the key actors in this struggle, including all the militant
groups, to Akwa Ibom State in order to surmount these evil companies from the
state.
“We shall ensure total shut down
of all flow-stations, all the oil vessels would be attacked (this is ‘Operation
Deliver Akwa Ibom Campaign’).
“We promise that very soon we
shall release the video of our findings for the whole world to see the level of
injustice and marginalisation these multinational oil companies have caused
their host communities.
“We, therefore, call on the
president to call his in-law, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, to order.
“Nigerians voted you to protect
lives and property not to protect Indimi. Enough of this injustice,” they
added.
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