Stakeholders of Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom state have accused an Indian firm, Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPFL) of displacing over 1,000 households.

The stakeholders led by the paramount ruler, Harry Etetor issued 14 days to the firm to drop its planned displacement of over the 1,000 households in Obiagan/Ikonta villages.

They threatened that if the company does not rescind it?s plan the communities will embark on a mass protests and deploy other instrumentality of the law to press home their demands.

The Village head of Emere-oke, Chief Joshua Matthew who slammed the ultimatum while addressing a world press conference in Uyo on Thursday threatened that failure to comply within the stipulated period would not be tolerated.

The Akwa Ibom State Government in 2022, during the administration of former governor, Udom Emmanuel acquired 1,736 hectares of land of the people for the operations of Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited.

The land was acquired exclusively from the following communities in Eastern Obolo: Ikonta, Obianga, Okoroinyong, Egwenwe, Emereoke, Iwofe and Amazaba communities.

But speaking during the media interaction, Chief Matthew alleged that since the commencement of the company?s operations the lives of the affected communities have been under siege

He alleged that the company had failed to address a number of critical socio economic and environmental issues despite repeated engagements by the host communities.

Emphasising that the affected Communities have no agreement with the Akwa Ibom State Government or SPFL or its agents or privies on relocation from their present ancient communities, Matthew said that entire community of Eastern Obolo would be left with no option than to deploy all instrumentality of law to press home it demands, including peaceful protests.

?We, the Chiefs, leaders of thought and good people of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area are here today with deep indignation and profound concern over the operational activities of Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited, an Indian Petrochemical Company operating within the territorial precinct of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.

?Today, our land has become a theatre of oppression, harassment, intimidation, destruction of environment, ecosystem and blatant disregard for our fundamental rights.

?These challenges, if remained unaddressed, are capable of wiping out of existence over seven gazette villages in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and permanently displacing the inhabitants of those villages.?

He added ?In the light of the above, we make the following demands: That SPFL must immediately reopen all blocked water ways and creeks and restore them to their original state to allow the people of Obianga and Ikonta have unhindered access in and out of their ancestral communities and maintain their traditional occupation of fishing.

?That SPFL must jettison any conceived or imaginary plan to relocate or displace the people of Ikonta and Obianga Communities, as we are not ready and willing to quit our ancestral homes for any reason whatsoever.

?We hereby demand that SPFL must pay the people of Eastern Obolo the sum of 100 million US dollars as compensation for the irreparable damage done to our environment and ecosystem.

?These demands must be taken seriously and if SPFL fails within 14 days to address our demand, we shall be left with no other option than to deploy all instrumentality of law to press home our demands including peaceful protests. We reiterate that we will not stand by while our people are oppressed, displaced,? Matthew said.

They also called on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service to investigate and prosecute any illegal Indian immigrant found within Eastern Obolo in particular and Akwa Ibom State at large.

A top management staff of the SPFL, who pleaded not be named because he was not authorised to speak, denied all the allegations against the company. (The Nation)

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