Oil spill: Eket people urge US to interven

They have also decried the non-establishment of the Oil Mineral Producing Communities Commission in the Eket, Ibeno and Onna or other oil bearing LGAs of the state.A statement from the Eket People’s Union (EPU) signed by the National President, Professor Asindi Asindi and the NationalSecretary, Elder Enobong Akpan in Calabar at the end of their […]

They have also decried the non-establishment of the Oil Mineral Producing Communities Commission in the Eket, Ibeno and Onna or other oil bearing LGAs of the state.
A statement from the Eket People’s Union (EPU) signed by the National President, Professor Asindi Asindi and the National
Secretary, Elder Enobong Akpan in Calabar at the end of their meeting, said the time has come for the Akwa Ibom State government to set up the commission as done by other Niger Delta states.
The statement said that if such a commission, is put in place, it will “enable the oil bearing/producing communities to access the 13 percent derivation meant for them.”
The statement appealed to the state government to assist them secure oil spill compensation from Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN).
It lamented that compensation for oil spills in 2008, 2010 and 2012 have not been paid up till now.
It also called on MPN to open up a line of negotiation for the payment of compensations for the various oil spills.
In their reaction to oil spills, Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimted, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC/MPN) joint venture,  said they have activated their emergency response systems and contained the release with all relevant regulatory authorities and community leaders notified.
While calling on the American government to intervene in the oil spill issue, the stakeholders also called for the review of the moribund Memorandum of Understanding between the host communities and MPN with “a view to ensuring its full implementation while the role of government remains purely advisory.”