By Nelson Utip
The Ijaw Youth Council has issued a seven day ultimatum to oil giant ExxonMobil to clean up the oil spillage in Ibeno community of Akwa Ibom state and pay compensation to them, this follows a recent oil spillage in the area.
The group added that it will no longer be lenient with any act of negligence and hesitancy by international oil companies in any Ijaw community in pursuit of clean, habitable and favourable environment within all Ijaw territories in relation to environmental issues as it severely endangers live and economic activities of the indigenes.
Dr Theophilus Alaye, The President of the Council stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday, lamenting the negligence of ExxonMobil in the past leading to significant pollusion and degradation of the host communities saying that they will no longer tolerate delay and negligence.
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“In response to the recent devastating event of oil spill in Ibeno community, Akwa Ibom state which is just one of such occurrences, we are hereby calling on ExxonMobil to as a matter of urgency carry out a thorough clean up exercise and initiate a procedure for compensation in the affected areas.
“It is a known fact that ExxonMobil in the past have neglected and treated with kid gloves their repeated oil spills and other accidents that leaves significant pollution and degradation to their host communities. They are known for either ignoring responsibility or playing politics with it.
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“As a council we hereby draw the attention of ExxonMobil, NOSDRA and every other relevant authorities to act swiftly as we are giving them seven days to take responsibility and swing into full and immediate action regarding the massive spill that was discovered in Ibeno community on the 16th of August 2024 whose effect on aqua life within the area is already very severe.
“We also wish to state that any form of negligence, delay or foul play will not be taken lightly as this is not going to be business as usual. The statement read.
