The Eastern Obolo clan of Akwa Ibom State’s Ijaw Youth Council has reiterated its demand that Sterling Global/Natural Oil Field Services, which operates in the region, be awarded the surveillance security contract.
Additionally, it expressed worry about the Eastern Obolo Council’s perceived marginalization and bemoaned the fact that, for more than a decade, no member of the council had been appointed as a commissioner to the state executive council by any administration since Udom Emmanuel.
The organization said that the company’s repeated failure to fulfill its commitment was the driving force behind the demand for the monitoring contract in a statement released in Uyo on Wednesday following a meeting to officially launch new chapters as Operational Areas.
The statement, which was signed by 23 people, including its chairman Michael Jaja, secretary Ezekiel Uneadasi, and assistant secretary Matthew Uraniyok, emphasized how the circumstances has prevented young people from having meaningful involvement and employment opportunities.
When Sterling Global/Natural Oil Field Services first started out, they promised to provide the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) a surveillance security contract as soon as the plan was complete.
“This promise is still unmet, depriving our young people of chances for economic empowerment and meaningful engagement. The communique partially stated, “We demand the immediate award of the surveillance contract to Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Obolo clan, as pledged.”In accordance with the Local Content Law of 2010, it also called for the creation of an exclusive Host Community Trust Fund, the prompt supply of energy to the communities, and the appropriate employment of Eastern Obolo sons and daughters.
On political marginalisation, the youth body commended the governor of the state, Umo Eno, for his timely intervention in the crisis between the company and its host community, which it noted had resulted in the reopening of blocked creeks of Obianga and Ikonta Communities.
However, it expressed worries over the neglect of the council in terms of both appointments into the state executive council and into the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, inspite the huge contributions of the LG to the growth and development of Akwa-Ibom State.
“IYC wish to extend our deepest gratitude to His Excellency Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his timely intervention in the cry of the people of Eastern Obolo LGA on the issue of Creeks closure within the Obianga and Ikonta Communities and has long ordered the Company to reopen the Creeks, which is ongoing. We say Bravo and express confidence in your leadership.
“However, Your Excellency, it’s on record that for over 10 years counting, the people of Eastern Obolo have never been appointed as commissioner in the state and as Board of NDDC, in spite of our huge contributions to the economic growth of Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria at large. Therefore, we demand the immediate appointment of a Commissioner from the Eastern Obolo oil-rich community”, the communique added.
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