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Group Lauds  Tinubu,s Support For Dr Ogbuku-led  NDDC,s Leadership Performance

Published

1 year ago

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
By David Owei, Bayelsa
A coalition of youth groups in the Niger Delta, has revealed that Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is gaining massive support from the region due to the outstanding performance of the current leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The groups also stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the 2027 presidential election on a platter of gold if the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC continues with the good work it is doing in the region.
The Over 20 youth groups in the Niger Delta, including the Crusaders for Niger Delta Community Development (CNDCD), and the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), made their positions known after a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday to assess the achievements of the commission since the current board was inaugurated.
They had taken a tour of most projects undertaken and completed by the current board, including ongoing projects and inherited ones which are spread across the length and breadth of the Niger Delta; saying that they are quite impressed.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the youth leadership commended Dr. Ogbuku and his men for the people-oriented projects spread across the region which have made life more meaningful to the people.
The communique was jointly signed by Amb. Jesse Ese, the National Coordinator of Crusaders for Niger Delta Community Development (CNDCD), Pastor Jude Teidor Olayinka, the National President of Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), Comrade Tonbra Kingdom Yeri, Chairman, Council Of Organisational Leaders (COOL) IYC.
Others include, Amb. Prince Tonye Jeminimiema, Rt. Hon. Speaker, Rivers State Youth Leaders Assembly, Comrade Amb. Rufus Ekewoi Jefferson, National President, Niger Delta Youths for Practical Development, Comrade Datonye Iketubosin, Coalition of Ijaw Youths, CIY, Comrade George Okitikpi, Secretary, Niger Delta for Non-violence Youth Leaders Assembly, Comrade Tonye Richmond Dokubo, Chairman, Association for Non Violence in Niger Delta (ANND), Prince Benjamin Joshua, South South Youth Leaders Coalition for Eradication of Poverty.
Also, Comrade Chinedu Anokwute, Imo Community Youth Leaders Association, Comrade Ibifubara Jackreece, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Ethnic Youths Roundtable, Comrade McPrince Mbu, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth for Environmental Rights Protection (NDYERP), Engr. Tamunosaki O. Ibieneye, National Coordinator,  League of Niger Delta Professionals, Comrade Dimieari Pepple, National President, Ibom Youths Alliance (Akwa Ibom), Comrade Alfred Harry, Chairman, Niger Delta Young Entertainer’s Forum (Delta State), Comrade Michael Omachi, President, United Rivers Coalition, Comrade Princess Dawari George Charity, President, Prestigious Ladies of Nigeria, and Mmedara Idorenyin Akpan, National Secretary, Youth Advocacy for Greater Efficiency in Governance, amongst others.
The communique read by Pastor Jude Olayinka of NDYCPP thanked President Tinubu for the appointment of the current leadership of the board which they described as a round peg in a round hole; saying that for the first time since the formation of the NDDC, the commission is meeting the developmental and human capacity needs of the people of the region.
It says, “When you talk of transiting from transaction to transformation, it means that policy framework, programmes should be laid in such a way that it makes greater room for continuity and effective and efficient service delivery on the part of the institution that is driving it.”
“If the institution has no solid foundation on ground, it will create room for inefficiency, ineffectiveness, laxity and all other vices, but the current NDDC board has laid a very good foundation, first of all for management, and then the workers – in line with internationally accepted standards and policies; setting the pace for regional prosperity, educational improvement and advancement, economic growth, health, infrastructure and every other thing, and these are things everybody can see.”
“Look at the scholarships in the educational sector, foreign scholarship. The processes to gain the scholarship are very fair, credible, transparent and it encourages healthy competition for people to thrive.”
“Look at his programmes with the first lady. So, even in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, they are trying to touch lives, and don’t forget that it is only recently the federal government is approving their budget.”
“So, with this budget being released, you can see that a good foundation has already been laid and development will now come in, so this is an A team, and everybody from the MD to the least are all seasoned technocrats.”
“Look at the robust engagements with all stakeholders…, and it is not just engagement like a teaparty affair, all the ideas and resolutions brought in by stakeholders are what the NDDC is using to work, and so the people now have a say on how they want their areas to be developed – these are the things endearing people to this Tinubu’s government.”
“Don’t forget, people were thinking the NDDC would be run based on political party affiliation – where it is just a party thing and only members of the APC will benefit, but Ogbuku is carrying everybody along irrespective of their political parties.”
“Look at their relationship with the state governors, even those who are not members of the APC, it is very robust, and everyone can see the healthy engagement that they have. You can see the humility of the current leaders of the commission.”
“Also, look at the stakeholders, the ethnic nationalities – the Ogbuku-led NDDC is touching every facet of the society, none is left behind.”
“Even the youths, none is left behind – all shades of the youth bodies are being carried along.”
“Look at the light system, the power system. Knowing the high cost of generating power, the solar system became a magic wand; causing robust transformation in the communities, thereby reducing insecurity and causing commercial activities to be done all through the night.”
“People are beginning to have more comfort doing their businesses and everybody is happy, and we hear on a very strong authority that the NDDC will embark on solar powered borehole systems across Niger Delta communities.”
“And all these things are meant to address major problems bedeviling our communities – lack of light, good educational system and water. And don’t forget, some states are seriously challenged by cholera pandemic mostly caused and spread by lack of portable drinking water, and if these solar boreholes are put in place, most of these health problems caused by drinking of contaminated water will no longer be there.”
“Also, this current leadership has done a great deal when you talk of continuity of projects. It is out of this world that any government would come and say we want to inherit abandoned projects, knowing the political mentality of our people, that no matter how much you try to complete abandoned projects, it is those who initiated the project that will be given the credit; failing to understand that it is the person who finished it that did the greatest job and should take the credit. But, despite that, Ogbuku and his team say they are ready to finish every abandoned project undertaken by the NDDC.”
“Seriously, this administration needs a pat on the back, they need encouragement from all sectors. Look at the youth internship training – we are talking about the Project Hope that is training people on vocational skills.”
“Most of the international communities you see, the Chinese, Koreans, Egyptians in our construction sites are not academically oriented – they come to work in the country with vocational certificates that they are using to market themselves across the globe.”
“Most of the Koreans you see working in the LNG site only possess mechanical and technical vocational skills and craftsmanship, and that is what is selling. It is the vocational skill that they use in building LNG there, only few of them are educated. Training our youths in this skill is a clear indication that, in no distant time, Niger Deltans can comfortably start and finish the construction of LNG plant and even export labour.”
“So, building vocational skills is the foundation for industrialization, just like America did.”
“Now, look at it, the youth internship scheme is meant to train 10,000 youths, but you see a situation where over 3 million people are applying – meaning about 2,990,000 people will not be selected, and the process is very credible, so it’s going to take time, and those that are not selected will be agitated, you know, but they should give the board more time.”
“The bottom line is that they are focused, and they have the ambition and political will to do it. And so far, everyone can see that the team has a very tall vision to translate the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president to every nook and cranny of the Niger Delta.”
“This has caused massive regional love and support for the Tinubu-led government, because, the government they see is the one close to them which is the  NDDC Board representing the Federal Government at the communities with palpable impact, and that is the way the government operates.”
“The superb performance of the NDDC is towards giving democratic dividends to the good people of Niger Delta, and that is causing Niger Delta Youths, Elders, Women and politicians (across party divide) to support the federal government.”
“So, as long as the NDDC and the Niger Delta people are concerned, Tinubu is working very effectively,  it means Tinubu is working very well in that sector, and for us in the Niger Delta, the only sector that is working is the NDDC.”
“So, if you ask the average Niger Delta stakeholders and the common man who are benefiting from the programmes and projects of the NDDC, they will tell you President Tinubu is on the verge of making history in the Niger Delta and that is true.”
“Because as the NDDC is engaging the people, it is Tinubu’s government that is engaging the people, and they are engaging with their agenda, and that is what governance is all about, policies that have direct bearing on the people. Things that the people see, feel and enjoy, and with that, they know that these people are working.”
“So, as far as they are concerned, the Tinubu-led government is working  because the NDDC is working optimally, consequently, these efforts are bringing massive support for the Tinubu government – from the lens of the youths, critical stakeholders and leaders of ethnic nationalities, this administration is working.”
“For example, during the past Christmas, the intervention of the Tinubu government through the NDDC brought joy and succour to the people, which greatly complemented the state governments’ support to the locals, if NDDC didn’t step in, so many people would not have been able to celebrate the Christmas.”
“Leadership succeeds through delegation of functions, and if the people assigned to do those jobs are working effectively, then the government is succeeding from that sector, because if people want to analyze, they will analyze success and failure sector by sector.”
“We, the coalition of various youth groups, sat down to analyze deeply, and we found out that the current NDDC Board is working effectively, and people are feeling the dividends, and people who were very far from the commission are now coming close because of the good works of the Board members.”
“Irrespective of party divide, irrespective of ethnicity, everyone is being carried along, so this administration should be encouraged and not pulled down because it has not reached your turn.”
“Even us, the coalition of youth groups, we have not benefited, but we are not angry going to the press to make bogus accusations, we are still on a very long queue and we know that one day, it will get to our turn.”
“The members of various groups present here also registered for the youth internship and Project Hope, if peradventure some of them don’t scale through, it doesn’t mean the NDDC is partial or ineffective, it’s an ongoing process that will accommodate all qualified applicants in subsequent batches, the issue with our youths is that everybody wants to be in the first batch,” the communique added.
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Oil & Gas

A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas Flaring Accountability,-says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest

Published

16 hours ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
‎
‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost.
‎
‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future.
‎
‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”.
‎
‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them.
‎
‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added.
‎
‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”.
‎
‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.

‎

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Oil & Gas

‎A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas flaring accountability, community justice, reversal of executive order 9 ‎- says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest ‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo ‎ ‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost. ‎ ‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future. ‎ ‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”. ‎ ‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them. ‎ ‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added. ‎ ‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention. ‎ ‎ ‎

Published

16 hours ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
‎
‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost.
‎
‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future.
‎
‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”.
‎
‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them.
‎
‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added.
‎
‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”.
‎
‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.

‎
‎
‎

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Oil & Gas

Niger Delta Communities Demand End to Gas Flaring, Advocate Renewable Energy Shift

Published

4 days ago

on

June 2, 2026

By

civil society representatives, and traditional rulers, Barr. Mrs. Comfort Uche Agumagu, the woman leader of Oromeruezimgbu Community in Rivers State

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Stakeholders of some Niger Delta communities have added their voices to the growing calls for the end to gas flaring in Nigeria.

The stakeholders who are from communities affected by environmental pollution and degradation are also advocating renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.

The communities made their position known at Global Week of Action,
organized by the Quest for Growth and Development Foundation under the theme “Kick the Polluters Out”, held in Port Harcourt Rivers State at the weekend.

Speaking at the town hall meeting, which brought together community leaders, civil society representatives, and traditional rulers, Barr. Mrs. Comfort Uche Agumagu, the woman leader of Oromeruezimgbu Community in Rivers State called on the government to accelerate the shift to renewable energy.

She demanded responsible environmental practices from oil multinationals who she blamed for extensive pollution of the environment.

She said; “I have learnt the harmful effect of pollution, especially gas flaring. Most of us were not aware of these things.

“Proper sensitization should be done so that the public will be fully aware of the dangers.”

Mrs. Agumagu issued a strong call to the Rivers State House of Assembly to prepare a bill that would ensure proper cleanup of other communities beyond Ogoni land and hold polluters accountable.

She commended Quest for Growth and Development Foundation for the sensitization programme, admitting that many residents had been living with the dangers of pollution without knowing it.

Mr. Chukwudi Ebony Johnson, a representative of ONELGA (Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni Local Government Area), praised the organisers while urging them to take the campaign to a higher level.

“I want to encourage the organisers to extend this programme to the state government,” Johnson said, signaling the need for policy-level engagement with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.

Royal Chief Ambassador Magnus, the paramount ruler of Erewa village and a stakeholder in Gokana Local Government Area, commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the government for their efforts in Ogoni land.

“I commend HYPREP for taking their time to do what is right for the Ogoni people,” he said.

He however advised the government on a fundamental shift.

“I want also to advise government on the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to avoid further damage on the environment,” Chief Magnu stated.

Coordinator of the Quest for Growth and Development Foundation, Mr. Smith Nwokocha, explained the rationale behind the town hall meeting, stressing that community voices must not be silenced.

“The main purpose of the town hall meeting is to ensure that the voices of common people are heard in holding polluters accountable.

“The multinationals and government have a duty to protect the oil host communities from damage to their health and livelihoods,” Nwokocha said.

He reiterated the foundation’s position on energy policy, calling for a decisive break from fossil fuel dependency.

“We are calling on the government that instead of constant oil drilling and gas flaring, there is an alternative source of energy – which is renewable energy.

“It is safer for the environment, and they should invest in it for the betterment of the people.”

The Global Week of Action is an annual mobilisation coordinated by civil society groups worldwide to demand climate justice and corporate accountability.

Rivers State, the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry, has long suffered from gas flaring, oil spills, and environmental pollution, with communities in Ogoni, ONELGA, and other local government areas bearing the brunt of decades of extraction without adequate remediation.

While the Ogoni cleanup under HYPREP has made some progress, speakers at the event argued that neighbouring communities remain neglected and demand a comprehensive, statewide approach to environmental restoration.

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‎A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas flaring accountability, community justice, reversal of executive order 9 ‎- says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest ‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo ‎ ‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost. ‎ ‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future. ‎ ‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”. ‎ ‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them. ‎ ‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added. ‎ ‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention. ‎ ‎ ‎

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