By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Travelers and commuters along Eket-Ikot Abasi end of the East-West road were on Thursday subjected to over nine hours traffic hold up over a protest by youths of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, LGA
The youths were protesting the exclusion of the LGA from the draft report of Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, for Utapate OML13 oil and gas exploration project, submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment by Nigeria Petroleum Development Commission, NPDC.
But for the intervention of authorities the protest could have turned violent as the ultimatum issued by Organized Mkpat Enin Host Communities and youths to Sterling Energy Exploration and Production Company Nigerian Limited (SEEPCO) and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, over what they described as ill treatment and adamancy has expired.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Comrade Ini Ekanem, Chairman of Mkpat Enin Oil and Gas host communities said the youths of the area and people of Mkpat Enin host communities have vowed to use all legal means including protest to resist attempts by NPDC, SPDC to shortchange them.
Ekanem said it was disheartening that that the EIA was published and plans for a public hearing in progress without the inclusion of Mkpat Enin.
“Npdc – Nosl promised to Include Mkpat Enin LGA during a meeting held on the 12th November, 2019 at Eden Hotels Eket and another meeting held on 24th February, 2020 at Watbridge Hotels Uyo. And in their meeting with the paramount ruler of the LGA, HRH Akpan Akpan Ekpene at his palace.
“Why are we shortchanged after the NPDC’s representative promised stakeholders of Mkpat Enin LGA that the area was covered in their EIA study On OML /OPL-13.” He querried.
Also speaking during the protest, the Chairman of National Youth Council, Mkpat Enin Chapter Comr. Emem Alex accused the company of using divide and rule tactics to cause problems in the area, insisting that the firm must carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment and respect all their rights.
Alex said that several letters had been written and meetings held to compel the NPDC to give Mkpat Enin equal treatment as the host community of the project but to no avail, adding that the protest was aimed at compelling the oil exploration company to follow due process in their bid to commence operations in the field.
Consequently, the youths and members of host communities have vowed to employ all legal means at their disposal to ensure that the company follow due process and accord the area the full right accrued to host communities as enshrined in the laws guiding oil and gas operations in the country.
The OML13 project is currently being carried out by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd. (SEEPCO), an Indian firm that signed a 15-year Financing and Technical Services Agreement with NNPC and NNPC’s E&P unit, NPDC for the development of OML-13 which is 100 percent owned by NPDC.
