Gas flaring: Oil producing communities demand compensation from ExxonMobil

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON) said gas flaring has impacted negatively on the socioeconomic needs of the people and are demanding immediate compensation to the affected communities.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, the President General of AKIPCON, Dr Ufot Phenson, stated that the communities affected by the oil exploration activities of oil companies in the state, deserve the rights to adequate compensation.
According to him, extensive damage has been wrecked on the water courses, fishing, and farming occupations as well as other allied businesses in the communities by spills and gas flaring.
He added that unfortunately ExxonMobil has not done anything to ameliorate the effect of the deliberate gas flaring, noting that the cries of the people for the company to alleviate their sufferings have continued to no avail.
“The non-stop gas flaring activity of Exxon Mobil since 1974 when the company started oil exploration in the coastal axis of Akwa Ibom State has generated tremendous negative impact on the aforesaid fishing and farming individuals, MPCS, Groups and Associations in the state.
“Exxon Mobil has been flaring gas in the state both day and night leading to photogenic pollution which disrupt the means of livelihood of the people. This has turned the night into a total day resulting in the extinction of wildlife.
“The company has not provided any ameliorative measure to checkmate the effect of their deliberate gas flaring. The people have been crying on several occasioned to Exxon Mobil to stop the ongoing gas flaring and pay compensation to alleviate their sufferings, but to no avail.
“The company flares gas at various locations in Akwa Ibom State including that at QIT, Ibeno (on-shore) and many other off-shore locations in Atlantic Ocean. Some of the platforms are code named Ikpang, Mfem, Utere, Iyak, Usan, and more,” he said.
Phenson noted that the oil producing communities in the state have suffered severe harmful economic activities of oil companies, especially, the ongoing illegal gas flaring by Exxon Mobil, gas emission from corked and uncorked oil well belonging Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, which has posed a serious negative impact on the farmers and fishermen operating in the state.
He said the dangers of gas flaring in the state are inestimable as it destroys human health and economy, adding that residents of the areas have been so lavishly impoverished as their primary means of livelihood have been destroyed, shattered or contaminated.
He said, “Gas flaring has destroyed buildings and roof tops, polluted the Atlantic Ocean, Qua Iboe River and other adjoining rivers, creeks, streams, neighbouring swamps, sandy beaches, shorelines and boreholes within the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom State and rendered the water unfit for human consumption and for domestic use.
“Aquatic and terrestrial species have also been affected due to the associated poisons spread through gas flaring and oil spills.”
Phenson said that the duty of Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network is to engage in the struggle for the protection and promotion of human rights of the people and demand for the payment of adequate compensation to the people to alleviate their sufferings.