Youths protest at ExxonMobil, demand compensation for oil spill

Some members of Ibeno Youths Coalition on Monday protested peacefully against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to demand for compensation for the Nov. 29, 2012 oil spill in the area.

The youths, who were no fewer than 2,000, blocked access to the administrative bock of the agency.

They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Quit Notice’’, “ExxonMobil Stop Production”, “Compensation Must Be Paid Now”, “No Oil Spill Compensation, No work”, ” and “MPN workers be warned’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as a result of the protest, the administrative block and tank farm in the premises were locked, while a truckload of armed policemen stationed at the head bridge leading to the company.

While some casual workers of the company stood and discussed the situation, while some trucks carrying petroleum products could not enter the company.

Mr Okon Mkpa, the leader of Ibeno Youth Coalition, told NAN that “this is the beginning of a peaceful demonstration.’’

Mkpa said that the peaceful demonstration was a warning to the company.

When NAN contacted Mr Akaninyene Esiere, the Manager, Public/ Government Affairs of Mobil at the Qua Iboe Terminal in Ibeno, he said only ExxonMobil headquarters in Lagos could respond to the development.

NAN reports that Eket Federal Constituency Vanguard on Oct. 16 gave ExxonMobil seven days ultimatum to pay N26.5 billion oil spillage compensation or face massive protest.

The 2012 oil spillage allegedly caused by the operations of the company affected many parts of Akwa Ibom. (NAN)