Eastern Obolo, SPFL Crisis: AKSG  Constitutes Tripartite Committee To Facilate Peaceful Solution

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has waded into the crisis between communities in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, and Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPFL), as it constitutes a tripartite committee involving the State government, the company and Eastern Obolo to help facilitate amicable resolution of the lingering issues between the company and the host communities.
The committee is to establish the actual land size occupied by SPFL, work with SPFL to get a place for the displaced communities (Ikonta and Obianga), work with the communities to ensure smooth and peaceful relocation, and also  work towards finding a peaceful solution that would enhance peaceful coexistence between the host communities and SPFL.
Members of the committee representing government are Mr Nse Essien, Mr Udo Kierian Akpan, Mr. Ubong Udo Uquang, Mr. Abraham Odion, commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planing, commissioner for Internal Security, commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, and permanent secretary, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning.
The committee’s representatives on the side of the communities are Mr Samuel Samuel Nteogwuijah, Mrs Selinah Ukpatu, Profesdor Gamaliel Harry, Chief Humphrey Oyet, and Mr Sam Ukoima, Esq. 
   SPFL has Mr. Amit Gosh, Mr. Davinder Mor, and Mr. Jude Bassey, as representatives in the committee.
Inaugurating the committee Wednesday, in his office at Government House, Uyo, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, directed them to present their report within three months.
Eno acknowledged receipt of a letter by SPFL, committing to train 50 youths in various discipline within the country to prepare them for opportunities in the company, saying that such was a long term investment which would have more benefit to the host communities and the State at large.
He said while the project was vital to the socio-economic advancement of the State and country, it was equally important to strike a balance between the investor’s comfort and survival chances of people in the host community.
  Eno, who assured of government’s continued peace and security in the State, urged the committee to be neutral in their dealings in the overall interest of all concerned.