NNPC pipelines explosion in Akwa Ibom: Community laments devastation, warns detractors

Obotim Nsit Community in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has cried out over the devastating effects of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Gas Pipelines explosion that rocked the area last month.
The Community, at a briefing with newsmen at Eteidung Okon Aaron Ukpong’s Palace in Obotim Nsit, said that the explosion had brought untold hardship to the community as their means of livelihood – farms, livestock, houses and source of drinking water – have been completely destroyed.
Spokesman for the Community, Apostle (Dr.) Edet Jims said that, due to the devastation caused by the blast, the community has hired a consultant to ascertain extent of damage to the environment and the number of properties destroyed. They claimed that they had also lost their stream to the Ibom International stadium project, which the company handling its construction had emptied waste water into, thereby poisoning the source of water supply to the community.
Jims called on both Seven Energy Limited and the NNPC to pay compensation to the community for the houses and other properties that were destroyed, adding that because of that incident of July 24, 2016, they have also lost a 9 year old, Miss Margaret Okon Peter, whose whereabouts could not be accounted for as at the time of filing this report.
It is recalled that, the Niger-Delta Avengers (NDA) had claimed responsibility for the blast, according to a post in the group’s website by its spokesman, Brig-Gen. Mudoch Agbinibo.
The Community in a statement jointly signed by the Village Head, Eteidung Okon Ukpong and Secretary, Mr. Udeme Ekwere also condemned a publication in a national newspaper of July 26, 2016 (page 9) captioned, “Explosion Rocks Pipelines in Akwa Ibom,” warning that, sponsors of such publications should desist from distorting facts about Obotim Nsit for selfish reasons.
“For the purpose of setting the records straight and sounding a note of warning to the pretenders and highly-placed persons who will, rather than use their exalted positions to help the victims, are scheming to hijack the expected compensation to the actual victims,I, Eteidung (Apostle) Okon Aaron Ukpong, the Village Head of Obotim Nsit Village-in-Council, state without equivocation that:
“The explosion of the night of 24th July, 2016 occurred at the pipeline control valve located at Assang Community High School, Obotim Nsit, and NOT at Obotim Ikot Ekong as claimed by a non-existent Chief Akpanidung Ukpong.
“The Village Head of Obotim Nsit, where the explosion occurred is Eteidung (Apostle) Okon Ukpong, who was never interviewed by the Chairman, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area in connection with the said explosion, or on any other issue.
“Any Village, near or distant from Obotim Nsit, should desist from laying false claims on the issue of the pipeline explosion of 24TH July, 2016, or on any other matter relating thereto.
The Community in a related development also wishes to clear the air on Global Newspaper publication of August 3, 2016 captioned, “Facts about Oboetim Nsit” saying, the old Obotim Nsit comprised of two main sections viz; Obotim Ikot Etim and Obotim Obotim Ikot Ekong.
“In the year 1991, there was an indication of the split of the old Obotim Nsit Village into two distinct villages namely Obotim Ikot Ekong and Obotim Ikot Etim. The people of the section of Obotim Nsit Village called Obotim Ikot Etim were neither consulted nor involved in the split.
“The leftover of the old Obotim Nsit, after the secession by the then Obotim Ikot Ekong, have no issues with the name Obotim Nsit, hence they maintain that the name as referenced in the Pioneer newspaper of Monday August 13, 2007 (page 19: Public Notice).
“That, the people of present Obotim Nsit will not allow any person or group of persons to impose any name on them”, warning that, people behind the publication should leave Obotim Nsit alone”.