I did not disburse oil spill palliative funds - Ibeno Monarch

The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno,  His Royal Majesty OWONG (Dr) Effiong Archianga (JP) has described as false, baseless and the handwork of disgruntled, faceless and jobless elements, the accusation that he single-handedly disbursed the N1.3 Billion ExxonMobil Oil Spillage palliative meant for Ibeno community.

Reacting to a local newspaper tabloid alleging a looming explosion crisis over the management of the palliative funds, the Monarch explained that those fanning the embers of falsehood over the issue are non-indigenes goaded on by people who are only interested in squandering the palliative funds without putting it to public use. 

The palliative funds he explained, was paid to E&T consultant for the execution of a Nursery, Primary and Secondary School project. He stressed that ExxonMobil does not pay cash to anybody and that he is neither a contractor or paid agent of the oil firm hence, his non-involvement in the disbursement of the funds.

Describing as unfounded the allegations that youths were angry and spoiling for war in the area, the Monarch noted that since his assumption of office, the issue of youths has been paramount as he has impacted positively on them. His resolve to promote the interest of youths he pointed out, resulted in the award of scholarship by Total Nigeria Limited to over 60 Ibeno youths, adding that many others have benefited from employment in oil servicing companies operating in the area- a development which he said has brought relief to many families.

The Traditional Ruler noted that elders and Traditional Rulers in his domain have at various times benefitted from his benevolence; adding that the essence of his rulership is to impact positively on his community.  He stated that the genesis of his travails was in his desire for the even distribution of every palliative for the good of Ibeno people as against the previous practice where such monies were stolen and mismanaged. Continuing, he noted that the 2010 palliatives were used for the building of fences around Primary Schools; building of Town Halls, construction of palace extension at Local Government Headquarters; among other things.  

While lauding the contractor handling the construction of the oil spill palliative project –the Model School; the Paramount Ruler mentioned that the spate of work done there has justified the confidence reposed on them by ExxonMobil.
He described the accusations that he owns properties at South Africa and Dubai as blatant falsehood, adding that he has never visited South Africa not to talk of owning a property there. He however explained that he only went to Dubai for his eye treatment using his personal money. 

The unfounded allegations against him, he said, smacks of mischief as he had been comfortable even before becoming a Paramount Ruler. He also stated that he is a consultant/contractor to many oil companies such as Chevron, Adax, Total, NDDC, Conoil as well as a successful fisherman owning boats, among others.

On the issue of acquiring Government forest reserve for his personal use, the royal father distanced himself from the accusation pointing out that the area in question which is presently used for the construction of the Model School was acquired by the Government to forestall land tussle by contending communities laying claims to the land. 

The President, Ibeno Youths Council Forum, Mr. Ibiat Philips, Mr. John Bassey David the immediate past youth leader, Innua Eyet Ikot and executive member, Ibeno Youth Council Forum as well as Mr. Godwin Sunday Ikot, Okom Ita village President; on behalf of Ibeno Youths, discountenanced any build-up of crises in the area. The youths, they noted were satisfied with the use of the oil spill palliative for the construction of the Model School and advised ExxonMobil to speed up the payment of the balance of 60% funding to enable the completion of the project. 

The project coordinator of E&T, Arch. Imo Okon Mkpa speaking on the oil spillage palliative Project observed that work has reached advanced stage. He maintained that block work has been completed in the bungalows; adding that the roofing stage will soon follow while the seven- storeyed buildings have reached decking stages. He urged the people of the area to prevail on the project owners to pay the balance of the oil palliative fund to enable the completion of the project. On the challenge facing the project, he noted that finance is a key factor as the project would have been completed in July and August.