UYO
Repentant militants from Akwa Ibom State have faulted the Federal Government for awarding pipeline surveillance contract in the state to Pipelines Infrastructure Limited, a company owned by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame AtuwatseIII.
The ex-militants, under the aegis of UnyekisongAkwa Ibom, have asked the FG to revoke within a month the contract awarded the Warrimonarch and re-award same to them or face grave consequences.
The threat by the ex-agitations was contained in a press statement on Monday, last week, in Uyo and signed by Genenal Dede Udofia for Unyekisong Akwa Ibom, Major Ibanga Ekang, Special Operations and Strike Team leader, General Ukpe Sampson, Niger Delta Strike Force and others.
According to them, the pipeline surveillance contract should be given to ex-militants from the state, just like it has been awarded to a former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, from Delta State.
The statement read in part, “The UnyekisongAkwa Ibom at the general meeting held on Sunday, 18:09:2022, hereby issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to immediately terminate the oil and gas pipelines surveillance contract awarded to Pipelines Infrastructure Limited and re-award same to ex-militant leaders in Akwa Ibom State.
“We totally condemn the award of such contract to a traditional ruler who has no business in the creeks; an oil pipeline surveillance contract is not something that should be given to a traditional ruler or political associate as compensation as its effective management would directly impact on the nation’s economy.
“The award of oil pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo is well deserved as an ex-agitator. We, therefore, demand that Akwa Ibom State part be awarded to ex-militants’ leader, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, who would be able to work with all the stakeholders, youth groups and all agitating groups in the state.
“We view the current award of Akwa Ibom oil and gas pipeline surveillance contract to a non-indigene of the state as an affront on our people and tantamount to drumbeat of war in Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom people have been trampled upon by the Nigerian government for so long despite the huge contributions to the nation’s economy but when it comes to sharing, we will be neglected and marginalised because we choose to be peaceful.
“Our state is the highest in oil production but has been subdued to ill-treatment by the Federal Government and oil companies. The most shocking and provoking thing to do is for the NNPC to award oil and gas pipeline surveillance contract in Akwa Ibom State to Pipelines Infrastructure Limited, a company owned by an indigene at the net sum of N138.7 billion annually. This is totally unacceptable and must be terminated with immediate effect.
“We regret to state here that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the leadership of NNPC Limited have been doing everything possible to frustrate Akwa Ibom people at the detriment of the communities. It is not only Delta and Bayelsa that are the oil-producing states. If surveillance contract has been given to Tompolo, an indigene of Delta State, then Akwa Ibom portion should be given to an indigene of Akwa Ibom State in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.”
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