…host community reads riot act
Miffed by what they described as brazen affront on their sensibility, Apex body of Ikot Abasi local government area, Mboho Ikot Abasi has drawn a battle line, urging the Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Company to end unlawful practices or face the wrath of Ikot Abasi people.
Mkpisong Chelly Okoko, President General of the group, who dropped warning in a press conference recently in Uyo, noted with dismay that the company has over- stretched the elasticity of their patience and peace, by humiliating the local government area and enslaving Ikot Abasi and Akwa Ibom workers in their employ.
He alleged that the company had barricaded access road to communities and farmlands in Ikot Abasi and forcefully encroached on their land with disastrous environmental degradation.
Again, he accused the company of not including Ikot Abasi, one of it’s host community in implementation of Host Community Development Trust HCDT, discriminatory employment practices and failure to conduct MANDATORY environmental impact assessment, amongst others.
” We hereby put Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer LTD and their affiliate companies on notice that henceforth, Ikot Abasi people will no longer tolerate or condone these unlawful activities and suppression of our people under any circumstances”
Speaking further he said they have written several letters to this effect ,including a letter to the Federal Ministry of Environment, yet no response.
They recalled with dismay that the company, in November, 2023, called the elders of Ikot Abasi and promised to carryout an environmental Impact assessment, only to ignore and ridicule them.
Most painfully, they disclosed that the company has not agreed on any Corporate Social responsibility with the community, a development that suggests fraudulent intent.
Present at the briefing were a former member of the National Assembly, Hon. Akpan Micah Umoh Ph.D, former Chairmen of Ikot Abasi local Government area: Rt. Hon. Barr. Uwem Ekanem, Architect (Otuekong) Ufot Udoinyang, Engr. Uko Ekpe, Hon. Sylvanus Ikpoh KSJI.
Others were a former SA to the Deputy Governor, Pastor Udo Archibong, former leader of Ikot Abasi Legislative Council, Chief Ufok Frank Enoidem, former commissioner with the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Justus Ntuk, Vice Chancellor, Obong University, Prof. (Barr.) Emmanuel Umana, a senior University don, Dr. Ikpa Etukafia, Secretary General, Mboho Ikot Abasi, ESV Kufre Ufot amongst others.
© Paulinus NTA
