Protest In Akwa Ibom Over Ill-Treatment by Oil Company
Uko Etim, Uyo
Youths from Udung Uko Local Government Area, under the umbrella of the Confederated Udung Uko Youth Council, have staged a peaceful protest over the conduct of an oil company, Amalgamated Oil Company of Nigeria (AMACON), in the area.
The demonstration aimed to express their grievances against AMACON for its alleged ill-treatment of the community.
Our correspondent reports that over 100 youths were seen matching across roads singing and carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as “non-compliance by the oil company,” “end poor welfare package,” and others.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters at Udung Uko LGA on Friday, the Chairman of the youth body, Dr. Samuel Duncan, said that AMACON has been operating in the area for over 10 years, causing immense pain, suffering, and diseases among the people.
He highlighted several concerns, including AMACON’s failure to conduct environmental impact assessments, flaring gas against federal government guidelines, and neglecting community development projects.
Duncan criticised the company’s refusal to recognize Community Liaison Officers and incorporate Host Community Development Trust.
“Since the company’s inception in the community, they had not obeyed any law of the land. Nigeria is governed by law, and AMACON has refused to follow any extant laws regulating the oil and gas industry.
“To start with, since AMACON came into our community more than 10 years ago, the company has not carried out the environmental impact assessment, which is a requirement of the law for any project of that magnitude. Because of that, the devasting consequences of AMACON’s operation in Udung Uko have led to the spread of diseases among the people. Our people are down with cancer, kidney problems, respiratory diseases, and death, amongst others.
“AMACON.M is flaring gas against the federal government’s guidelines. This has caused us a lot of damage and problems, including destroying the roof of our building.
“Aside from that, there is no memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Company and the host Community. They’ve been conducting their operation in secret. They would go at night to meet old people who do not know what they’re doing with their drafted MOU, which is detrimental to the needs of the community.
“They’ve refused to carry out any community development project, and there is no scholarship nor support for the students. They’ve refused to recognize Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) nominated by the host Communities to them. And they’ve not incorporated Host Community Development Trust, a Petroleum Industry Act requirement.
“We, as youths of Udung Uko LGA, have sorted every peaceful avenue to dialogue with the company so that they can come to a round table and see how these issues can be sorted out, but they’ve refused.
“They’ve been taking at least five (5) crude oil and gas trucks out of our community but then decided to treat us the way they’ve been doing. Where is the money they have been selling the gas going to? This is economic sabotage, and the people of Udung Uko can not accept it.”
Duncan called on President Tinubu’s administration, the Senate President and other relevant authorities to intervene and address the issues.
Other leaders, including Engr Paul Isangidighi, Comrade Edet Abia, and Prince Edetseting Ph.D., also spoke during the protest, emphasizing the need for AMACON to take responsibility for its actions and provide adequate compensation to the affected community.
