By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Efik Leadership Foundation (ELF), a non-governmental organization, has commended the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu for facilitating the recent verification visit by the National Boundaries Commission and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in the state.
According to a position paper released by the ELF and signed by Richard Duke, Chairman, Board of Trustees, said the recent verification visit by the National Boundaries Commission and the NUPRC confirming the presence of a productive section of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 114 within Cross River State boundaries, in communities of Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South represented by Host Community Rights Advocates, HCRA, remain excluded from Moni Pulo Limited‘s (MPL) host community designation.
The ELF described the exclusion as unjust, citing the communities’ proximity and exposure to the environmental and social burdens of MPL’s operations. The organization called for a panel of inquiry to verify the host community claims, an investigation into MPL’s decision to exclude the communities, and the reinstatement of the communities as recognized host communities.
The Chairman of the ELF, Richard Duke urged the Ministry of Petroleum and the NUPRC to promptly recognize the rightful host community status of the affected communities.
The development sparked concerns among the affected communities, who feel marginalized and denied rightful benefits.
The ELF also called on the Ministry of Petroleum and the NUPRC to promptly recognize the rightful host community status of the Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South communities as the NGO is set for collaboration with stakeholders to achieve a fair resolution for the well-being of the Efik communities in the state.
