AKIPCON seeks immediate clean up of A/Ibom communities

A non-governmental organisation, Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON) has recommended immediate clean up and remediation of the environment affected by decades of hydrocarbon pollution.

President General of the group, Dr. Ufot Phenson made the recommendation in a paper he presented at the stakeholders parley organised by National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency titled “Negative Effects of Hydrocarbon Pollution in Akwa Ibom state.”

Phenson, who is a lecturer in the department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Uyo, said hydrocarbon pollution such as oil spill, gas flaring, toxic waste dumping and others have impacted negatively on the socioeconomic lives of the affected communities. He called on oil companies to pay adequate compensation as provided in post impact Appraisal and Evaluation Report already submitted to them.

He called on the oil companies to immediately put in place adequate measures to forestall future spillage and other measures to secure the livelihood of the communities.

“In line with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and NOSDRA, Oil Spill Recovery, clean up, Remediation and Damage Assessment, 2011, part 3, sub paragraph 26,(1,2,3) AKIPCON strongly recommend that:

“Adequate compensation as provided in the Post Impact Appraisal and Valuation Report already submitted to the MPNU, SPDC, TOTAL, E&P, ADDAX, MUNI-POLU, Network, Exploration, Seven Exploration and Production etc should be paid to the affected communities,” Phenson stated.

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