By Admin
Youth of Eket Federal Constituency under the banner of Host Community Youth Movement today meet with the Transition Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief William Mkpa at the Council Secretariat. The youth numbering over 100 visit the Transition Chairman as part of their wide consultation with key stakeholders of the four LGAs of Ibeno, Eket, Esit Eket and Onna on their demand from ExxonMobil and government to develop the area.
In his presentation, the Speaker of the group, Comrade Samuel Udoh intimated the Chairman on the numerous challenges confronting the area due to oil exploitation by ExxonMobil and other oil companies. Comrade Udoh listed some of the challenges to include lack of infrastructural facilities like roads, electricity, water, health care system, non employment of indigenes in the company, non implementation of MOU and Local Content Policy of Federal Government, non inclusion of local contractors in viable project execution, etc.
"It is not normal for us to live the life we are living. The impact of hydrocarbon exploitation in our community has affected our existence as the ecosystem is bastardized and seriously depleted while we suffer the consequences. It is a total conspiracy for ExxonMobil and successive government to pretend as if nothing is happening in the area. We need development in the four LGAs. We demand for adequate and special quota for the community in contract and job opportunities in the company. A special Commission and Department must be created in the company to cater for the need of the community. Service providers must have their offices in the community that they are operating. We will stop at nothing to make sure that this demand are driven home even if they want to wipe us out," he submitted.
Comrade Udoh stated that the youth of the four LGAs have come together under one umbrella to demand for their rights and therefore solicit the support and cooperation of the Transition Chairman of Ibeno LGA. He concluded that the group will made their Position Paper known to the public which a copy will be sent to the Chairman.
Also speaking for Ibeno, Onna and Esit Eket, Comrade Eyo, Namso Ekpo and Prince Godwin Peter lend their voices in support of the position of the Speaker and strongly appeal for the cooperation of the Chairman and other key stakeholders to stand with them to ensure that ExxonMobil and other companies operating in the area relocate their offices to the area for peace to reign and for smooth operation.
Responding, the Transition Chairman of Ibeno LGA, High Chief William Mkpa thanked the youth group for sustaining the fight which he championed some years back. He expressed dismay at the dearth of infrastructure in the four LGAs which can aggravate violence, but strongly appeal to the youth to adopt dialogue as the best approach to their agitation. He commended the group for their conduct, manner and approach but warned that the struggle need intelligent people and sacrifice, stressing that the problem facing our society is betrayal. High Chief Mkpa narrated his experiences in the same struggle and how he was vilified by his own people for fighting a cause that will benefit all. He advised the group to guide against those among them who will do everything to frustrate their effort as such people also exist in every organization, stressing that the fight need sacrifice and commitment. He assured them of his support in the struggle and advised the leadership of the group to be transparent and trustworthy as they will face a lot of temptation in the cause of their agitation.
In attendance were the Council Secretary, Members of the Transition Committee of Ibeno LGA, Director of DSS in Ibeno, Chairman of the group in all the four LGAs, etc.
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