Oil spill: Akwa Ibom monarch demands $100m compensation from ExxonMobil

Worried by environmental degradation occasioned by frequent oil spillages, the people of Ibeno Local Government Area, one of the major oil-bearing communities in Akwa Ibom State, have lamented over what they described as environmental hazards caused by oil exploration activities by ExxonMobil.
Ibeno, host community to the American oil-giant for decades, has been groaning over constant oil spills into their rivers, leading to destruction of aquatic lives, farmlands and fishing business. Speaking to reporters on the matter in his domain in Ibeno, the paramount ruler, Owong Effiong Achianga, lamented that oil exploration activities of Mobil has brought untold hardship on his people and urged management of the company to live up to their expectations by cushioning the effects of oil exploration activities in the area.
The royal father, who disclosed that Mobil had been defaulting in paying correct compensations accruable to the area over oil spills and environmental degradation, explained that “Mobil should be paying at least $100million yearly” to tackle the problem efficiently. Besides, Achianga urged the company to boost its social responsibility profile by creating jobs and other income generating opportunities to the local residents of Ibeno, noting that such gesture would go a long way towards making them have a sense of belonging in the company.
On the activities of sea pirates and other forms of maritime criminals operating on the shores of Ibeno and its environs, the anxious monarch lamented the ordeals faced by his people, adding that their means of livelihood including fishing and marine transports were under serious threat.