EXXONMOBIL: MOSIEND Threatens Showdown . . . Issues 14 Day Ultimatum
4 min read
by Chris Mark
UYO: A socio-political pressure group, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND has said it will no longer fold its arms and watch ExxonMobil carry-out its clandestine and habitual manner of damaging the environment of the people without payment of adequate compensation.
MOSIEND in a statement signed by the Vice-Chairman Akwa Ibom chapter, Patrick Afaiko after a stakeholders meeting with the national, state and clans executives said ExxonMobil intead of paying the N82bn compensation to communities in Ibeno LGA and its environs that were affected by oil spillage has gone ahead to appeal against the High Court judgement.
Afaiko observed that rather than assuaging the damage done to the people and the environment, ExxonMobil has choose to spend huge sums of money going from one court to the other in order to subvert justice, adding that ExxonMobil inapproachable disposition depicted in wanton sack of workers and allocation as well as sharing of major contracts amongst its top executives is wicked, callous, insensitive towards its host communities and catchment areas.
He said “After a consultative meeting of MOSIEND with major stakeholders where the national executive was ably represented by the national organizing secretary, Dimieari Pepple, the vice chairman, Akwa Ibom Chapter, Patrick Afaiko and various clans executives; it was found that ExxonMobil has appealed against the judgment of the High Court which directed that it should pay N82bn to communities in Ibeno LGA and environs that were affected by its oil spillage some years ago.
“It is more saddening to note that ExxonMobil rather than paying for the great damage it has done to our aquatic life, choose to spend all that sum going from one court to another. It is glaring the insidiousness of ExxonMobil for its inapproachable disposition depicted in the wanton sack of workers who are now indigents and the keeping of all major contracts and sharing same amongst its executives is insensitive, ruthless, oppressive and treacherous, as can be seen in all its policies and activities towards the host communities and catchment areas over the years.
“It is based on these and more that MOSIEND in its decisive resolution agreed never to fold its hands and watch ExxonMobil proceed with its habitual and clandestine manner of damaging our land and aquatic life without quantum compensation”.
Vice-Chairman Akwa Ibom chapter maintained that ExxonMobil mischievous approach warrant MOSIEND to issue a 14 day ultimatum to stop work and other activities pending the determination of the case in appeal court, saying that after the expiration of the ultimatum on the 8th day of August, 2021, MOSIEND will mobilse its units, clans, chapters, national and sister ethnic organizations including militants to short down ExxonMobil operations at Eket Terminal.
“ExxonMobil should, as a matter of concern, abide by this order to avert the unforeseen consequences of actions that will follow. MOSIEND will not tolerate this callousness anymore. Failure of this cruel company to comply with the 14 days ultimatum which will expire on the 8th day of August, 2021; MOSIEND will mobilize it’s units, clans, chapters, national and sister ethnic organizations including militants alike to short down ExxonMobil operations at the Eket Terminal, ensuring that nobody enters into the company.
“We want to use this platform to urge all local and foreign workers to vacate the terminal for their own safety. He who is down, fears no fall. We can no longer stomach their devilish treatment.
“We are also calling on the energetic Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Slyva, the immediate past minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu and Mr Odein Ajumogobia SAN who are illustrious sons of the region, Fmr Ministers and those that have strong ties with ExxonMobil to prevail on the company to as a matter of urgency engage the Local Government, the King and good people of Ibeno that are grossly affected for discussions and prompt payment of compensations other than hiding under the cover of judiciary and political favour to avert justice and fairness which is a sinequanon for peace.
“ExxonMobil ought not to be operating and making profit while the affected indigenes suffer untold hardship due largely to the reckless and unprofessional conduct of their staff, causing misfortune, hence, leaving the casualties redundant and jobless for years, not even some sort of palliative to cushion shock and agony of the victims.
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“We shall resist this injustice, marginalization and fight for our right to be compensated with last ounce of blood. ExxonMobile top management and security Chief are already threatening the Community and even applying every window and institutions to frighten the traditional ruler and able youths body with a view to coerce them to come under their oppression. We are calling on the security agencies to stay off this matter and let Mobil manage it’s own palava.
“ExxonMobil will be held responsible for any consequences that will arise from the actions. We will apply all conventional and unconventional strategies to drive home our demand. The Niger Delta people have been taken for granted for too long, the multinational have been taking our patience, tolerance and cooperation for granted. While MOSIEND members hosting NAOC are giving good remark about their company, ExxonMobil is busy impoverishing the Eket people. We have been shortchanged to the point of no return.”
