Oil spill: Ibeno community fights for survival against ExxonMobile

One of the most pressing concerns for the communities in the South South of the country are the challenges of environmental pollution, oil exploration and exploitation which has been seriously affecting development in these communities over the decades, despite efforts being made by governments at all levels. Ibeno community in Akwa Ibom State is one […]

One of the most pressing concerns for the communities in the South South of the country are the challenges of environmental pollution, oil exploration and exploitation which has been seriously affecting development in these communities over the decades, despite efforts being made by governments at all levels.

Ibeno community in Akwa Ibom State is one of these communities in the area that has impacted negatively by oil spill which damages their ecosystem, and making it hard for the activities of fishermen in the area as well as crippling the economic condition of the people of the community. The oil spill was traced to Exxon Mobil installations located at Okposo, Atia, Western end and Eastern end of Ibeno communities.

Several calls, appeals and petitions has been made by stakeholders to bring the attention of the management of this US-based Oil giant company to address the issue of oil spillage from its facility. Though, the company some years back has made efforts to repair some pipelines suspected to have destroyed by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the spills have been recurring decimal in the blighted oil and gas rich community.

Indigenes of the region are angered by the continued of the massive spill that ravages their land. The fears of these people are similar to what has been reported happening in other coastal communities that are found in Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.

It was gathered that for about five decades Exxon Mobil has never paid any compensation for oil spills or even to allow the process to be completed for the payment of compensation, instead, it ran around to pay token money as palliative.

Reports indicate that for over six times Ibeno communities have recorded such unfortunate incidences that have washed away farmlands, destroyed aquatic lives and disrupted other maritime activities and above all caused serious threat to the survival of the people and the future of the environment. These concerns prompted stakeholders of the communities led by His Royal Highness of Obong Chief Effiong Archianga to file a suit against the Exxon Mobil on the 3rd of February, 2012 demanding the company to take the full responsibility of the damages caused by its activities in the area.

The company was requested to ensure the cleanup, detoxify and rehabilitation of the plaintiffs land ecosystem, underground water and air quality, which has estimated to have reached over $66,666,66.6 equivalents to N28,074,842,500.00

Although, the company has denied responsibility for the massive oil spill and most of the testimonies presented by the plaintiffs in their filing and counter appeal by their representatives in Nigeria, in its judgment as presented in the Supreme Court of Nigeria by Justice Paul Adamu Galinje on the 6th of July, 2018 the Nigeria’s apex justice system upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court which granted the application of the dependents by striking out the appeal filed by the Exxon Mobil which has been blamed for neglect and refusal to undertake necessary measures to address the impact of its activities on the life of the inhabitants and their economic activities.

As contained in the judgment Exxon Mobil has been directed to restrain from further oil spills and gas flaring in the area for the safety of the communities.

Several times management of the company has been denying that the spills were not from the company’s facility, even when they are the only company involved in oil exploration in the area.

Exxon Mobil is a major international oil company in Nigeria that engages in oil explorations in Akwa Ibom State from its Qua Iboe Terminal facility located in Ibeno Local Government area of the state.  

Muhammad Mustapha, Kaduna