*** Demand a Refund of the N8 billion Palliative Money
Sequel to the recent online propaganda spread by paid agents to rubbish the superlative performance of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, community leaders from Eket Federal Constituency has faulted the claim by ExxonMobil Corporation as the financier of Eket-Ibeno Road, demanding for urgent refund of the N8 billion which the company deducted from the Oil Spill Palliative accrued to the area as compensation from the spillage which destroyed the livelihood of the people of the area.
Speaking on the issue, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ibeno local government area, High Chief William Mkpa said that ExxonMobil claim as the financier for the construction of Eket-Ibeno Road which was earlier awarded to indigenous company, FCC by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) but later re-awarded to a Chinese firm, CCECC by Akwa Ibom State government, is not only insulting but provocative and therefore demanded for the refund of the money back to the community or be ready to face the consequences.
According to High Chief Mkpa, “The action of ExxonMobil Corporation is very insulting to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the people of Eket Federal Constituency, and we cannot continue to condone such insolence. The total contract sum for the construction of Eket-Ibeno Road is N46.5 billion and ExxonMobil did not give the N8 billion counterparts funding out of their own volition. The road construction was awarded to FCC by NDDC and for four years, the company couldn’t make any progress as they didnt have the expertise to execute such a project considering the terrain.
Chief said that when a Technical Committee was constituted for the Oil Spill Palliative which was chaired by the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, two people each were selected from the host local government area and he was privileged to also served as a member of that Committee.
“In one of our meeting, we were asked to propose for projects which we proposed that Eket-Ibeno Road should be overtaken by the State Government we strongly appealed to the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Chief Godswill Akpabio to take over the road project from FCC which he obliged. The project was re-awarded to CCECC and it was then that ExxonMobil Corporation lead by the present Minister for State on Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu who was then Vice President of ExxonMobil agreed to contribute N8 Billion from the total Oil Spill Palliative out of the total N36 Billion that was due to the affected communities.
“ExxonMobil paid the said N8 Billion directly to CCECC through invoice in three installments since 2014 and not to Akwa Ibom State government. One is wondering why the Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Regina Udobong should play the card of opposition in the state by not only erecting a large Billboard with N8 Billion boldly written on it but has been on radio on daily basis broadcasting that ExxonMobil constructed Eket-Ibeno Road. I view her actions as working for opposition in the state to spite the government and people of Eket
Federal Constituency, he submitted.
Chief Mkpah accused ExxonMobil Corporation for playing dirty politics in the state, promising that nothing will stop the people of the area to get their money which they fraudulently deducted from the Oil Spill Palliative, saying the days of taking the community for a ride is over.
Reacting to the development, Obong Iwaad Emman Mbong who is the Chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eket local government area said that the actions of the oil giant is unbecoming and the people will not condone such insult after they have been exploited for over 50 years with nothing to show for it in an area that play host to their operational facities. He wondered why ExxonMobil Corporation should allowed themselves to be involved in the murky water of politics, noting that ExxonMobil as a corporation with international standing shouldn’t have been involved in such dirty game to misinforming the people as such action can cause a breach of peace in the area.
Obong Iwaad Mbong stated that the company is economical with the truth for going as far as erecting a massive Billboard with N8 Billion as the financier of the project even when the road has not yet been completed. He said that the Eket-Ibeno Road is one of the landmark achievements of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and frown at effort by individuals or groups to fault his achievements saying that such will be met with stiff opposition.
He submitted that Eket Federal Constituency deserves commendation for supplying over 70% of the resources used to developed the country rather than the falsehood embarked on by the ExxonMobil with their social media paid agents. He expressed regret that the peaceful disposition of the people of Eket Federal Constituency has been taken for granted for too long. He therefore called on the company to stop such blackmail so as not to incite the youth to take arms against them, as the area has been very peaceful over the years.
Also speaking on the issue, a former Minister and a two term member of the House of Representatives representing Eket Federal Constituency confirmed that the N8 Billion that ExxonMobil contributed as counterpart fund was deduction from the Oil Spill Palliatives and warned the company to desist henceforth from misinforming the people as such act is aim to tarnish the reputation of the governor.
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