Ex-militants under the aegis of the Niger Delta Volunteers have given 30 days ultimatum to Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, to put in place a commission that would cater for the social and economic needs of the Oil Producing communities.
The group would shut down oil and gas installations if the request was not granted within the period stipulated.
According to the statement by its leader, Ekpo Ekpo, on Monday, the group alleged that the Oil Producing Communities have been marginalised for many years without good roads, water, hospital and schools.
The group accused the governor of using the resources meant for oil Producing Communities to develop his own Local Government council which is not an oil-producing Community.
“The Niger Delta Volunteers hereby call on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr Udom Emmanuel to urgently establish Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Communities Development Commission, within the next 30 days in order to bring development to the oil-producing communities in the State.
“Some oil-producing communities in the state have been abandoned for years without any motorable road, good drinking water, hospitals, schools and other social amenities to enhance the living standard of the people.
“The Oil Producing Communalities have been shortchanged without commensurate development to ameliorate the sufferings of the people whose resources have been forcefully hijacked by the State Governor to develop his community and also divert some to private pockets.
“We demand immediate establishment of Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Communities Development Commission which shall take care of the development of oil-producing communities in the state.
“The Commission should be established within the next 30 days or we shall shut down all oil-producing activities in the state both onshore and offshore until the said Commission is established by the state government,” the statement reads.
The group which also accused the Governor of allegedly diverting resources of Local Government councils called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the diversion.
“We also hereby call on the EFCC and ICPC to immediately commence investigation into the diversion of the local government funds in Akwa Ibom State by Gov. Udom Emmanuel and his allies.”
The statement added that some government officials have connived to render the local government useless by siphoning their resources
Responding, Commissioner of Information, Mr Charles Udoh, only asked the question:
“Where did they get the money and what is the source of the fund, where did the money come from? He, however, referred the reporter to ALGON chairman, Frank Archibong, who did not answer his calls.
However, the state commissioner of Finance, Linus Nkan, declined comments on the issue, adding that he was not aware of it.
“I am not aware of it, you are just telling me for the first time,” Nkan said.
