Tensions are rising in Akwa Ibom as the Host Community Joint Labour Committee, led by Elder Godwin Ndueso, staged a protest in the state capital yesterday. The demonstrators voiced strong opposition to what they describe as an attempted usurpation of their established responsibilities, as outlined in a 1992 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the core oil-producing communities of Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA, and Ibeno, and oil-producing companies along with their servicing firms.
The protesters warned that the dispute could escalate if not addressed swiftly, drawing historical parallels to labor unrest in the region from 1982 to 1992. “We all know what happened in those years. Can we afford a repeat of those gory days? No,” a statement from the group read, urging prompt intervention before tensions spiral out of control.
The crux of the conflict appears to be the newly established State Labour Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Nse Essien. Protesters insist that rather than dismantling the existing Local Government Joint Labour Committee, the state body should work collaboratively with it to preserve the agreements that have long governed labor relations in the oil-producing communities.
Echoing concerns from decades past, the host communities stress the importance of experience in resolving labor disputes. “Experience is the best teacher. Let’s not go through those harrowing days again,” they warned, emphasizing the need for dialogue and cooperation to prevent another round of industrial strife.
The situation remains fluid, and stakeholders are watching closely to see how the state government and oil industry players respond to these renewed calls for labor justice.
