The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) of Eastern Obolo Clan in Akwa Ibom State has voiced its renewed demand for the fulfillment of a promised surveillance security contract by Sterling Global/Natural Oil Field Services, an oil company operating within their territory. This demand, stemming from a pledge made at the outset of the company’s operations, forms a central grievance for the IYC, which alleges that the unfulfilled promise has deprived their youth of crucial employment and economic empowerment opportunities. The IYC contends that the company committed to awarding the contract once the project blueprint was finalized, but despite the passage of time, this commitment remains unmet. This perceived neglect has fueled the IYC’s resolve to secure the contract and ensure that the benefits of resource extraction within their community are shared equitably.
Beyond the surveillance contract, the IYC’s concerns encompass a broader spectrum of issues related to development and representation. They highlight what they perceive as the marginalization of the Eastern Obolo people, particularly the lack of representation in key governmental positions. For over a decade, no individual from Eastern Obolo has been appointed to the state executive council or the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), despite the region’s significant contribution to the state and national economy. This absence of representation, according to the IYC, underscores a pattern of neglect and disenfranchisement that requires urgent redress. They are demanding the immediate appointment of a commissioner from their community to ensure their voices are heard and their interests are adequately represented within the state government.
The IYC’s grievances further extend to basic infrastructural needs and the implementation of existing laws designed to benefit host communities. The lack of electricity in their communities remains a pressing concern, hindering development and impacting the quality of life for residents. They also call for the establishment of a Host Community Trust Fund, a mechanism intended to channel resources directly to communities affected by oil and gas operations, ensuring their participation in the management of these funds and fostering sustainable development. Furthermore, the IYC emphasizes the need for the oil company to adhere to the Local Content Law of 2010, which mandates the prioritization of local employment in the oil and gas sector. They believe this law has not been effectively implemented in their area, resulting in lost job opportunities for their people.
While acknowledging Governor Umo Eno’s intervention in a previous conflict with the oil company, which led to the reopening of blocked creeks in Obianga and Ikonta communities, the IYC emphasizes that this single act of intervention does not address the underlying issues of systemic marginalization. The reopening of the creeks, though welcomed, represented a resolution to an immediate crisis and not a solution to the long-standing grievances of the community. The IYC views their broader demands – the surveillance contract, representation in government, electricity provision, the Host Community Trust Fund, and local employment – as interconnected elements of a just and equitable relationship with the government and the operating oil company.
The IYC’s renewed call for action highlights the tension between resource extraction and community development in the Niger Delta region. The oil-rich area has long grappled with the consequences of environmental degradation and the perceived inequitable distribution of the wealth generated from its resources. The IYC’s demands, encapsulated in a communique issued following a meeting to inaugurate new chapters within their organization, reflect the ongoing struggle for greater control over their resources and a more meaningful participation in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. They view the fulfillment of these demands as essential not only for their immediate well-being but also for the long-term stability and prosperity of their community.
The IYC’s insistence on the surveillance contract carries symbolic weight, representing their desire to be active participants in securing their own communities and benefiting directly from the economic activities within their territory. Their broader demands, including political representation, infrastructure development, and adherence to local content laws, highlight the deep-seated desire for recognition, inclusion, and a more equitable share of the benefits derived from the oil and gas industry. Their continued advocacy underscores the importance of dialogue and engagement between communities, government, and corporations to ensure that resource extraction contributes to sustainable development and the well-being of all stakeholders.
