Oriental Energy Resources Limited logo | File Image
A non- governmental organization, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has threatened to mobilize the people of Akwa Ibom State to disrupt the operations of an indigenous oil company, Oriental Resource Limited, for allegedly flouting the community content law.
The group also assured that it would take a legal action against the company for the same reason, while accusing the NCDMB of working hands in gloves with the oil firm to deny the people of oil reach Mbo Local Government Area of their rights.
This is contained in a petition written to the company and the content board by the human right group and signed by its state Chairman, Comrade Ndifreke Afangide.
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According to the petition, both the oil firm and the content board have been given ultimatum to right the wrongs they allegedly meted out to the community in view of the existence of the federal government law.
The petition reads: “Despite numerous agreements and resolutions reached at meetings held on 23rd October 2023 and November 2024 at your zonal office in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Oriental Energy Resources Limited has brazenly ignored the pleas of the host community of Mbo LGA, leaving them to suffer hardship, deprivation, and marginalization.
This is totally unacceptable!
“We demand that you take immediate, decisive, and far-reaching action to:
– Investigate the non-compliance by Oriental Energy Resources Limited
– Take necessary enforcement actions to ensure compliance
– Provide compensation to the affected communities.
“As the regulatory body responsible for ensuring compliance with the NOGICD Act 2010, NCDMB must take immediate action to address this situation. We will not stand by and watch NCDMB compromise with Oriental Energy Resources Limited, potentially plunging Akwa Ibom State into chaos.
“We are putting you on notice that if NCDMB fails to take immediate action within 72 hours of receipt of this letter, we will be forced to take drastic measures, including:
– Mobilizing the youth of Mbo LGA and Akwa Ibom State to take to the streets in protest
– Organizing a nationwide campaign to expose NCDMB’s complicity in Oriental Energy Resources Limited’s non-compliance
– Filing a lawsuit against NCDMB and Oriental Energy Resources Limited for their failure to comply with the NOGICD Act 2010 and other relevant treaties
“We will not be intimidated or silenced. We will continue to fight for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed. We will not rest until justice is served.
“We are committed to defending the rights of our people, and we will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is served.”
Effort to reach the authority of the content board and the oil firm proves abortive as of the time of filing this report.
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