The Akwa Ibom government has given reasons why it is insisting on standardized Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Oil companies (IOCs) and other firms operating in the state saying it is to ensure synergy for mutual understanding.
It would reduce tensions and distress situations in the host communities to the barest minimum, it stated.
“We believe that when we standardize MoUs, restiveness , tensions, distress will be reduced to the barest minimum because some of the MoUs, are clearly oppressive and have substantially deprived the host communities and indeed the state government of their rights. So we are working hard to standardize MoUs.”
Ekong Sampson, commissioner for environment and petroleum resources in an interview with BDSUNDAY in Uyo, the state capital, explained that because of disunity in the host communities, the IOCs often exploit the situation adding that the state government has directed the oil companies and other oil and gas firms to operate functional offices in the state.
“Because when they operate functional offices in the state, it’s easier for the state and the host communities to work with them, it also would help to stabilize their operations. When the IOCs and other players become distant, they create room for tension and misunderstanding.
“Of course, the host communities and the state are deprived of revenue, because some of the IOCs and the big players are distant. So the state government has directed the IOCs and other big players must have functional offices. The state government is very serious about this directive, we are talking, we meet quarterly, some have responded.”
Sampson expressed delight that many of the oil companies have responded except Total Nigeria Limited adding that the state government considers the directive as important to boost the revenue base of the state government.
The commissioner who disclosed that Akwa Ibom state has over 1000 erosion sites, appealed to the federal government to take Akwa Ibom State as a special case worthy of federal assistance for intervention given the enormity of the problem adding that it would be difficult for the state to tackle the menace posed by ecological problems alone.
He said the state government was working with the World Bank to find a “comprehensive and permanent intervention” on IBB avenue , a major road in the state capital which had been cut off by erosion saying contract for its rehabilitation would be awarded in no distant time.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
