Exxon Mobil doles out oil spill palliative to Ibeno community

Exxon Mobil has doled out oil spill palliative to Ibeno Community in a ceremony which attracted stakeholders and held at the Paramount Ruler’s Palace in Ibeno, over the weekend.

Speaking at the occasion, the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government and Chairman State Council of Chiefs His Royal Majesty Owong (Dr.) Effiong Bassey Archianga, expressed joy that his three years in office so far has recorded peaceful reign, stressing that he has enjoyed the co-operation of the entire citizenry which has ensured development of the community.

He commended Exxon Mobil for keeping to their promise in the distribution of palliative projects which include building of a standard school, provision of the fishing gears such as nets, boats and outboard engines for 50 indigenes in batch two of the project and he warned the beneficiaries to use the facilities for the betterment of their lives and not to sell them out, noting that anybody found to have derailed in the usage of the facilities would be sanction by the traditional council.

The Royal father commended Exxon Mobil for working harmoniously with the community and in the provision of the school project also from the palliative, stressing that it would help to advance educational development of the children of the area who have over the years been exposed to accidents and other hazards on roads, plying Ibeno to attend schools in neighbouring communities.

Owong Achianga used the occasion to called for maximum support for Governor Udom Emmanuel administration which he described as symbol of peace, fairness and justice, and he called on those aggrieved to forget about the past election and join hands in moving the state forward.

In handling over the facilities to the Ibeno Community beneficiaries, the Manager Public and Government Affairs Exxon Mobil Mrs. Regina Udobong, said the presentation of the second batch of oil spill palliative project is part of the oil company’s commitment to sustain working relationship with the host communities and he praised the paramount Ruler for his leadership qualities.

Exxon Mobil Manager Public and Government Affairs was representation by Mr. Eyo Abia, who expressed the company’s determination to sustain the existing peace with the host communities and he lauded Ibeno Community for ensuring that the project was achieved and also expressed delight that inspite of the dwindling oil prices, Exxon Mobil has continued to fulfilled it social responsibility and the called on the people to co-operate with the Paramount Ruler Owong Achianga whom he described as a leader with foresight who has been committed to the development of his community. 

A beneficiary of the palliative project Arch Bishop Paul Hanson Ebong, an indigene of Iwoachang Community in Ibeno who spoke on behalf of others expressed delight that stakeholders were carried along in the distribution and described the process as transparent while calling on beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by sustainably usage of the facilities.

The occasion was attended by youth groups, widows, traditional fathers, Elders, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), past and present political office holders  among others.