Still on the abrogation of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy
Many utterances: truths, half-truths and outright falsehood (born out of politics) have been made about the issue of how the struggle for the abrogation of the obnoxious onshore offshore oil dichotomy was carried out and the “war” eventually won. Crude Oil drilled in the waters is referred to as “offshore” and the one on land […]
Many utterances: truths, half-truths and outright falsehood (born out of politics) have been made about the issue of how the struggle for the abrogation of the obnoxious onshore offshore oil dichotomy was carried out and the “war” eventually won. Crude Oil drilled in the waters is referred to as “offshore” and the one on land as “onshore”. The offshore was claimed 100 percent by the Federal Government of Nigeria without any percentage derivation payment to the affected states. It was a fact that Akwa Ibom became worst hit because all its oil wells are located and drilled offshore.
The true story is that the fight for the abrogation of the onshore/offshore oil dichotomy has been long on by many individuals and groups from the affected areas, and even before the creation of Akwa Ibom State, but providence could not grant the request until the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
The abrogation got its tacit approval at the Ibom Hall, Uyo, evening of 22nd September 1992 at one of the occasions (Command Performance) marking the 5th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State. The then Akwa Ibom State military governor, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga had employed the persuasive posture of our dear daughter, Obongawan Christy Essien-Igbokwe, MFR (popularly known as The Lady of Songs) in appealing to the then Military President Babangida whose regime actually created Akwa Ibom State five years earlier. Christy, believed to be close to the IBBs, when called on stage at the occasion of the Command Performance, which had IBB, his friend late MKO Abiola and wife (Simbat) in attendance, knelt down and told IBB that unless he promised her people (there and then) the abrogation of the oil dichotomy before leaving office, she would not get up from her knees. After a lull, IBB, to the admiration of all voiced the assurance with military fiat. There was a long and loud ovation.
The action leading to the abrogation was from that spot put in motion; but the actual instrument became ready at the period the late Obong Akpan Isemin was the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State and while making broadcast to the effect of the receipt of the instrument, Isemin acknowledged the efforts of all.
Ironically, it will be recalled that sometime last year the present government in Akwa Ibom State deployed all government arsenal against this our Christy, taking her as a special project that must be destroyed; attempted to run her out and her family business down for reason many could still not understand up till today.
Many witnesses (late and living) were at the Ibom Hall that day, to name a few: the late Governor Obong Akpan Isemin, the late Dr. Clement Isong, former military governor Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Obong Ufot Ekaette (who was civilian deputy governor to Nkanga), various who-is-who of Akwa Ibom origin/friends too numerous to mention, including yours sincerely and former Governor Obong Victor Attah who later fought President Obasanjo as he (Obasanjo) tried to reverse our fortune.
I decided to come up with these facts this late to enable all exhaust their thoughts or otherwise; and I believe with this correct, undiluted, truthful information, the issue of contributors to the abrogation of the oil dichotomy, which now benefits all the littoral States in Nigeria, should be put to rest.
Obong Ndarake Ebe-Ndaeyo, Plot 209 Park Road, EKET, Akwa Ibom State