Ex-agitators in Akwa Ibom state, under the aegis of of Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum have urged the Governor; Pastor Umo Eno to compel international oil companies (IOCs) to empower them with jobs and contracts.
This demand was made at the weekend in a statement signed by the Secretary of Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum, Comrade Sunny Afiah, in Uyo.
The former militants lamented that they had suffered injustices and discriminations from IOCs, which had denied them of royalties, employment and pipeline contracts.
According to them, such ill-treatment meted out to ex-agitators by IOCs was against the provisions of the Local Content Law and other social laws.
The statement said: “It would be recalled that we have written several letters to these multinational oil companies operating within the shores of Akwa Ibom State to consider our qualified members for employment and contracts as contained in the Local Content Law, but they rather turn deaf ears.
“It could be recalled that Total E&P Nigeria Ltd, which operates at Ikike Field, Amenam Field, Ofon 2 and Usan fields in Akwa Ibom State have refused to sign a working Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host communities and the state since the last one expired in 2014.
“This is totally unacceptable and we condemn it in strongest terms. We therefore call on Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and all the multinational oil companies and oil servicing companies operating in Akwa Ibom State to do the needful or face severe resistance.
All what we ask is an opportunity to work and make decent living. We have dedicated ourselves to working and we therefore request that the oil companies and the state government should stop discrimination against us and provide us with opportunities to work in our environment as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We demand immediate award of security/surveillance contracts to us for the security of oil & gas facilities within the state both onshore and offshore.”
“This is as a result of the current trend of insecurity and oil theft recorded in the Niger Delta in recent times. We also call on NNPC Limited, NPDC and the Federal Government to do the needful by engaging us for the protection of the oil facilities within Akwa Ibom State.
“This is because we are very familiar with the terrain and creeks within the State and Niger Delta.
“We implore Akwa Ibom State Governor Umoh Eno to call oil companies to order as we will no longer condone injustice and marginalisation.”
