"If by our next sitting, Exxon Mobil does not reach an understanding with the host communities, we would have no option than, to take actions that would protect the inalienable rights of our people; and this I order"

This was the position of the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon during the Tuesday plenary, following a matter of urgent public importance brought before it by the member representing Onna, Hon. Charlie Godwin Oton, bothering on the disagreement on compensation over the oil spill.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Sam Ikon, who presided over the plenary accentuated that the house will step into the matter involving Exxon Mobil and some communities in Eket Senatorial District over oil spill if the incongruity is not resolved before its next plenary on Thursday, 7th November, 2013.

"The 5th Assembly remains committed to its slogan...we remain the peoples' Assembly and we will continue to act and express ourselves such that we would continue to win confidence to the public that the mandate they gave to us remains sacred. Again, we were call to duty and again, we will act."

Elder Ikon, who stated that the present House of Assembly will not fail to live up to the expectation in matters of public interest, appealed to the youth of the affected communities to continue to remain calm and law abiding while negotiation was going on.

The representative of Onna State Constituency and Chairman, Committee on Inter-Governmental, Political and Special Matters, Charlie Oton, had informed the house that following the oil spill in 2012, Exxon Mobil had agree to pay the sum of 26.5 Billion Naira to the affected communities, but could not keep to the agreement.

Oton, who is the Paramount Ruler of the House, informed that the divergence on the part of Mobil has since instigated protests by the people of the area and prayed that the House should urgently step into the ruckus.

Members who supported the prayer were: Member for Oruk Anam and the deputy speaker, Comrade Udo Kierian Akpan, Member for Esit Eket/Ibeno and the Leader of the House, Okpolupm Etteh and Member for Eket, Ayang Ayang. Others were; Barrister Onofiok Luke, who represents Nsit Ubium, Barrister Bassey Etienam, Urueoffong/Oruko, Uduyok Johnson Aboh, Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Victor Udofia; Ikono and member for Mkpat Enin, Barrister Ekong Sampson.

They argued that if the House is truly the peoples' Assembly, then proactive measures must be taken fast to avoid break in order and lost of lives and property in the affected communities.

The members who spoke one after the other commended the youth, traditional fathers and women of the affected areas for maintaining law and order in jarring situation such like theirs.

They strongly urged private sector companies, organizations and multinationals operating in the State to share in the burden of their host communities by engaging in enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in their various domains.

Meanwhile, plenary was adjourned to reconvene on Thursday, 7th November, 2013 at 10:00 hrs. READ MORE:::::::::: http://www.akwaibomstatehouseofassembly.org/akwa-ibom-legislature-news/2013/akwa-ibom-house-of-assembly-gives-exxon-mobil-7-days-to-comply.php