Community shut oil company in Akwa Ibom

Operations of Universal Energy Resources Limited, UERL, in Akwa Ibom State were yesterday shut down following protest by Unyenge community in Mbo Local Government Area.
Nigerian Pilot learnt that the people of Unyenge are aggrieved that UERL have failed on the employment agreement it entered into with them.
The people under the aegis of Unyenge Community Development Union, UCDU,  barricaded access road leading to the company operational base chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with different inscriptions.
A community leader, Chief John Esin, who spoke with reporters on their grievances, said Unyenge Chiefs, women and youths will continue to block the road leading to the company’s operational base until the agreement is met.
“Our people were supposed to produce both the Community Liaison Officer and Community Development Officer, instead both positions were given to non indigenes”, he averred.
He recalled that the community on May 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the company but the oil firm is yet to meet the demands as the management of Universal Energy has refused to follow the terms of agreement which include;
“Award of all community reserved contracts to our indigenous contractors and immediate start off skill/professional training of our youths and women. Provision of special welfare package to our chiefs and elders,” he said.
Noting that UERL started operations in the community since 2006, Esin lamented that the action of the oil firm is a slap on them, because nothing good has been given to the community in terms of corporate social responsibility.
Reacting on the issue, the Public Affairs Manager of UERL, Mr. Iwatt Udofia, denied that the company has been paying deaf ears to the community demands.
He appealed to the community to sheathe their swords and allow the company to continue their operations, while also promising that management will meet with the aggrieved community on Wednesday to settle the matter.

Source: http://www.nigerianpilot.com