Following alleged plans by the Akwa-Ibom state government to ceded parts of at least 12 of their oil-bearing lands to other non – oil communities, some irate youths have reportedly taken over oil pipelines and wells in the state.
The youth from Eastern Obolo local government area stopped Oil and gas workers from entering or leaving the area to carry-out exploration activities.
The oil communities spread across three LGAs of Onna, Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin.
Truth Live News recalls that the State House of Assembly had concluded work on the bill entitled, “State Map Establishment Bill”, and passed into law.
The bill however awaits final approval by the outgoing Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Earlier, governor Udom had noted that the mapping of the borderlines, was for peaceful purposes to stem frequent boundary disagreements among communities.
Meanwhile, the house decision was said to have generated wide spread protest among concerned communities oil bearing LGAs of Mbo, and Ibeno respectively.
The protesters in their numbers who occupied the only access road leading into the community at the Okoroettte junction of the town in the wee hours Saturday, April 29, 2023.
During the violent protest, a couple of deaths was reported with the people accusing the government of targeting at the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which is expected to award 3 percent of the oil proceeds to the oil communities.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, leader of Eastern Obolo, Mr Gabriel Gabriel, vowed that no one community in the area would be ceded to another LGA in the name of remapping the state, adding that the decision was unilaterally taken without consulting the traditional rulers, the youths and other community stakeholders.
He said: “We are out today because we perceived the state government has ulterior motive in sending surveyors to survey our land for a new map, and we are saying no to that because they have not come to us to create awareness on what they want to do; we just see them coming up with a new policy.
“And for now, about 12 communities will be affected and we are saying that none of our communities will leave Eastern Obolo, because they have the reason why they are doing this. Why did the state government not do the remapping before now? For 35 years they have not done anything, if you look at the area, no development. They use the money produced here to develop other places.