By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, the local unit of ExxonMobil, has asserted that there is no oil leak from any of its facilities in Akwa Ibom.
The assertion follows a protest on Monday by youths of Ibeno Local Government Area, alleging massive oil leak from a Mobil facility.
A statement in Eket from the Regional Communication Manager, MPN Ogechukwu Udeagha, said no official report identified the company’s facility as a potential source of any oil leak.
He said: “There has been no release of oil from any of our facilities, we are not the only operator in the area.
“A preliminary government agency inspection report on the alleged incident did not identify any of our facilities as a potential source.
“The protection of the environment and our host communities remains a key priority in our operations.”
Youths from Ibeno, took to the streets on Monday to protest alleged oil spill in the area.
A community leader, Paul Essiet, told journalists that “We are angry because an oil spill from a facility belonging to ExxonMobil has polluted our farmlands and rivers.
“Farming and fishing activities have been put to a halt since the spill began about a week ago.”
He urged the company to take responsibility by commencing negotiation with the community to ensure immediate containment and remediation.
A preliminary government agency inspection report on the alleged incident did not identify any of our facilities as a potential source.
