COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 EASTERN OBOLO PEOPLE'S PLIGHT: A CRY FOR JUSTICE AGAINST STERLING PETROCHEMICAL, FERTILIZER LIMITED 


By Julius Nsikak - Uyo




As the Eastern Obolo people passionately chanted, " Obolo Itiki - Iya, Obolo Itiki - Iya, Obolo Itikiso - Iyaaaaaah", the entire audience, particularly members of the press, were left gobsmacked, with smiling faces. 



To strangers, it was an amazing experience but to them, it was a clear indication of their frustration and desperation over the situation with Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPEL). 



The conference room of Villa Hilton Hotel and Apartments was transformed into a scene of unison chanting by the Eastern Obolo people, leaving mixed feelings as to whether it had suddenly become an army training field. 


The meeting, Christened "A World Press Conference By The Chiefs, Leaders Of Thought And Good People Of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area", aimed to shed light on the concerns of the Eastern Obolo people regarding the operational activities of Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPEL), an Indian petrochemical company operating in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. 



These concerns include, "Illegal Closure of Creeks, Planned Forceful Displacement of Obianga, Ikonta Communities and Irreparable Devastation of the Environment by Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited".


It is worth recalling that in 2022, the Akwa Ibom State Government, under the leadership of Former Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, acquired 1,736 hectares of Eastern Obolo's ancestral land, exclusively from Ikonta, Obianga, Okoroinyong, Egwenwe, Emereoke, Iwofe, and Amazaba communities, for the operations of Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPEL). 



On behalf of the entire Eastern Obolo people, the Village Head of Emereoke Community, Chief Joshua Matthew, made it clear that since the commencement of civil works by SPEL, the lives of the Obolo people have been under siege, and the land has become a theatre of oppression, harassment, intimidation, destruction of the environment, ecosystem, and blatant disregard for their fundamental rights. 


"These challenges, if remained unaddressed, are capable of wiping out of existence over seven gazette villages in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and permanently displacing the inhabitants of those villages", Chief Matthew added.


He maintained that the acquired land was to the exclusion of ancient rivers, namely, Okolo Obianga/ Ikonta, Okolo Otuita, and other creeks, which are federal navigable waterways, noting that there had been no agreement to permanently or temporarily close strategic ancient routes that serve as fishing grounds for the fishermen and women of the host communities. 



Notably, the closed creeks serve as the Obolo people's only access routes to markets, hospitals, schools, and other places of their daily endeavours. Members of these communities are trapped and unable to access medical services, especially now that they have recorded a cholera outbreak, claiming about 20 lives in one of the host communities.


To this note, the Obolo people have demanded that SPEL must immediately open all blocked waterways and creeks and restore them to their original state to allow their people to have unhindered access to their ancestral communities and maintain their fishing occupation. 


Also, that SPEL must pay the people of Eastern Obolo the sum of 100 million U.S dollars as compensation for the irreparable damages done to their ecosystem and environment, adding that any conceived plan to relocate or displace the people of Ikonta and Obianga communities must be jettisoned. 


Therefore, "these demands must be taken seriously, and if SPEL fails within 14 days to address our demands, we shall be left with no other option than to deploy all instrumentality of law to press home our demands, including peaceful protest." 


They called on Governor Umo Eno, the federal government, international communities, and others to help and hold SPEL accountable, while maintaining that their demands are non-negotiable, and that they are resolute to defend their fundamental rights, thereby advising the Indians operating SPEL to subject themselves to the laws of Nigeria or relocate to India, their home country.


The conference was well attended by the Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo, His Royal Majesty, Uboon (Elder) Harry John Etetor, Ilile IX, chiefs, leaders of thought, amongst other Eastern Obolo people.

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