Concerned about Exxon Mobil’s refusal to remediate its environment, Ibeno, an oil-producing community in Akwa Ibom State, is considering taking the company to an international court.
Ibeno, Exxon Mobil’s host community, has repeatedly urged the company to conduct a comprehensive audit of the environmental, social, health, and economic damage caused by its extractive activities and to ensure adequate remediation and reparation.
ExxonMobil announced plans to sell its assets to Seplat Energy in 2022, after extracting crude from the community for about 62 years.
In a one-day Community Diagnostic Dialogue on issues of oil pollution organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) at the village hall in Upenekang, the community stated that they would consider approaching an international court because ExxonMobil has shown no respect for court judgments in Nigeria in the past.
Chief Godwin Efanga, President of the Upenekang Town Council, told journalists on Friday that Mobil had ignored their several petitions urging them to conduct an immediate and comprehensive audit of the community before leaving.
He noted that Exxon Mobil was known for flouting Nigerian court orders, stating that they would seek to approach the International Court of Justice in America with the assistance of a Non-Governmental Organization.
“Exxon Mobil, as we know, are those who may not want to respect government policies or court judgments in Nigeria,” he says. Exxon Mobil has the world’s longest picket line, and we will not risk suing the company here in Nigeria because they will not even obey if we get justice.
“For example, since 2018, after receiving a Supreme Court ruling ordering Exxon Mobil to recognize the sacked Spy policemen and other security workforce as employees and pay them their full entitlement, Exxon Mobil has ignored the ruling, instead using government agents such as police and the army to chase away the people.”
Mrs. Iquo Dan, a community leader, stated that since July 2022, when the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd temporarily blocked Mobil from selling its assets through the court, the company has taken no steps to audit its years of operation in Ibeno.
As a result, she advocated for a comprehensive audit of the Ibeno community that would examine the environmental, livelihood, health, social, and economic impacts of crude oil and gas extraction.
Princess Wills, another member of the community, expressed concern about who would finance the litigation against the oil giant, saying, “Yes, going to court is good, but my fear is who will sponsor it?” Is it our commanders? Of course, they lack the resources to fund the case, and it would ultimately be futile.”
However, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, assured the audience of the organization’s willingness to assist the community in its court processes by providing adequate documentation.
