Akpabio denies collecting oil spill compensation from Exxon Mobil

[Mirror]

Akwa Ibom State g ove r n m e n t has denied collecting money from oil giant, Exxon Mobil, as compensation for the recent oil spill in four oil producing communities in the state.

It would be recalled that the National Oil Spill Environmental Agency (NOSRA) had approved about N26 billion as compensation for the recent oil spill in the affected communities, but ExxonMobil held a meeting between the state government and the stakeholders and bargained to pay about N2 billion to the oil spill victims. The balance of the money was said to be used to undertake development projects in the areas, a step said not to have gone down well with people of the affected communities.

But some people especially youths later protested against the decision. Speaking on the matter yesterday at Government House, Uyo, at a meeting with stakeholders from the four oil producing communities of Eket, Esit-Eket, Ibeno and Onna, Governor Godswill Akpabio maintained that the state government has not received a dime from the company.

His words, ""The state government has never received any kobo from the company as speculated and no paramount ruler or royal father from the oil producing communities has received any money from the company neither has the company given any money to the state government." "As a government, we are committed to creating enabling environment for companies to strive in the state.

So, the various rumours in newspapers and in the social media are false, and I believe such people creating the rumours are trying to tarnish the image of the state by saying we have collected money from ExxonMobil.

And I urge the public to ignore those engaged in a campaign of calumny," he said. The governor used the occasion to condemn the youths that barricaded the entrance of the company preventing workers from entry into the facility. He urged the youths to always seek for dialogue towards the resolutions of issues rather than violence.