Pollution: A’Ibom Oil Communities Demand N16.4bn Compensation


Akwa Ibom oil producing communities under the auspices of Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON), has demanded more than N16.4 billion compensation over some communities affected by oil pollution in the state.

In a petition letter addressed to the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and signed by the organisation lawyer, Barrister N. A. Williams of Reliance Chambers, the group said its efforts to secure reparation for the affected communities have been largely ignored.


According to Williams, the organisation, for many years, has been demanding for compensation from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other oil companies following the devastating impacts of hydrocarbon pollution- oil spills, gas flaring and toxic waste dumping and gas leakages/emissions from corked and uncorked wells.

The petitioners disclosed that faulty oil well head had resulted in repeated oil spills at the Ikot Ada Udo, SPDC Ibibio 1, yet, the oil firm responsible has refused to compensate the affected communities. The group recalled that “the Ikot Ada Udo, SPDC Ibibio 1 oil spills incident first occurred in the year 1997. It re-occurred in 1999, 2004 and lasted till 2007, due to Ibibio 1 oil well head facility failure.

“The spills resulted in the discharge of remarkable quantity of crude oil into the majorly rural farmlands and water bodies in Ikot Ada Udo and adjoining villages in Ikpa Nung Asang clan in Ikot Abasi L.G.A, Ibiaku/Ukpum Minya clans in Mkpat Enin L.G.A and Abak Midim in Oruk Anam L.G.A. The spills drastically affected the ecosystem, wellbeing of the inhabitants and the environment.



“Sequel to this unfavorable development, the community attorney consulted an Accredited Estate Surveyors and Valuers, who carried out valuation of the damages caused by the said spill/gas emissions, which is in the sum of N4,136,484,000.00 (Four Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand Naira) only for Ikot Ada Udo. The valuation for villages in Ikpa Nung Asang in Ikot Abasi L.G.A, Ukpum Minya/Ibiaku Clan in Mkpat Enin L.G.A and other SPDC’s host communities in Akwa Ibom State is N12,266,950,000.00 (Twelve Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, totaling N16,403,434,000.00 (Sixteen Billion, Four Hundred and Three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand Naira) only.”

While waiting for Court of Appeal and National Human Rights Commission’s Special Investigation Panel (SIP) set up in 2016 to investigate oil spills and environmental pollution to conclude all AKIPCON matters before it, including the Ibibio 1 oil spill incident, the organisation alleged that “SPDC surreptitiously sell out Ibibio 1 & II oil and gas wells to your company which has now become part of your OML13. This is in order for SPDC to avoid payment of compensation to alleviate the long years of sufferings of their host community of Ikot Ada Udo and other affected communities.

“It is upon these facts and circumstances that our Client has instructed us to raise this representation to you to inform you that since you have bought and fully taken over the aforesaid assets of SPDC (Ibibio 1 & II oil and gas wells – being part of your OML13), you should take immediate steps to settle the liabilities left behind by paying compensation to the victims of the said oil spill using Valuation Report already submitted to SPDC, within 30 days upon the receipt of this letter,” the solicitors demanded.

The lawyers expressed hope that as responsible and responsive company operating under the law and international best practices, NNPV will create an avenue of dialogue with AKIPCON to negotiate on this matter for the sake of justice and industrial harmony

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