The Ibioete village in the Odoroikot community of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has lamented the level of destruction caused to its residents following the recent oil spills that occurred in the area.
It was gathered that the spill, which occurred in July this year, devastated large farmlands and led to the loss of aquatic life in the affected areas.
In a statement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, the community’s village head, Eteidung Akpan J. Ekpo, and secretary, Elder Akpan I. Akpan, recalled the devastating effects of previous oil spills that occurred in the area between 1996 and 2012.
It disclosed that compensation was paid to the community by the ExxonMobil and Okoro Oilfield-AMNI International Development companies after a visit and confirmation by the oil companies.
While regretting that the activities of these oil companies have again plunged the community into another oil spill, the villagers called on the state government and relevant agencies to “mop up the spilled oil and pay compensation to the affected fishermen and community accordingly.”
The statement, which was copied to the Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin, the Paramount Ruler, and stakeholders of the community, read in part, “It’s unfortunate that Ibioete Village, Odoroikot community in Mkpat Enin LGA, is suffering from the damages caused by the recent oil spill along the Atlantic Ocean.
“History will tell us that these same issues happened in 1996 and 2012, when the concerned oil companies, i.e., ExxonMobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Okoro Oilfield-AMNI International Development Company Limited, visited the community, tested the water, and confirmed that it was a reality.
“Notwithstanding, the community and, of course, the Mkpat Enin Local Government Area were compensated accordingly. Based on this, the activities of these oil companies have again led to another oil spill this year, ‘July 2023.’
“This has caused a lot of damage to our fishermen in the Atlantic Ocean and within the creeks and rivers.
“We use this medium to draw the attention of the state government and the oil companies to, with a matter of urgency, ‘Mop up the spilled oil and pay compensation to the affected fishermen and community’ accordingly.”
