Following the recent oil spill in Ibeno community, Akwa Ibom State, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has issued a seven days ultimatum to ExxonMobil, asking the oil company to carry out a thorough clean up exercise and initiate a procedure for compensation.
The IYC added that in pursuit of clean, habitable and favourable environment within all Ijaw territories, it would no longer treat with leniency any act of negligence and hesitancy of International Oil Companies (IOCs) with regards to environmental related issues.
According to the group, the critical challenge has posed severe danger to the lives and economic activities of the people.
The President of the Council, Dr. Theophilus Alaye in a statement issued Tuesday, lamented that in the time past ExxonMobil had neglected and treated with kid gloves its repeated oil spills that led to significant pollution and degradation in the host communities.
He, therefore, warned that any form of negligence, delay or foul play would not be taken lightly.
“In response to the recent devastating event of oil spill in Ibeno community, Akwa Ibom state which is just one of such occurrences, we are hereby calling on ExxonMobil to as a matter of urgency carry out a thorough clean up exercise and initiate a procedure for compensation in the affected areas.
“It is a known fact that ExxonMobil in the past have neglected and treated with kid gloves their repeated oil spills and other accidents that leaves significant pollution and degradation to their host communities. They are known for either ignoring responsibility or playing politics with it.
“As a council we hereby draw the attention of ExxonMobil, NOSDRA and every other relevant authorities to act swiftly as we are giving them seven days to take responsibility and swing into full and immediate action regarding the massive spill that was discovered in Ibeno community on the 16th of August 2024 whose effect on aqua life within the area is already very severe.
“We also wish to state that any form of negligence, delay or foul play will not be taken lightly as this is not going to be business as usual,” the statement added.