Daily Champion Newspapers

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Akwa Ibom State government
may be heading for a collision over the former's alleged poor handling of
environmental problems in the state.
Daily Champion recalls that Ikot Ada Udo community, in Ikot Abasi local
government area was recently hit by oil spillage which affected the
socio-economic activities of the area.

During the house's deliberations, the lawmakers recalled that, SPDC for
over 40 years had recklessly abandoned several corked oil wells in various
communities of the state to spill without servicing or decommissioning
them for the benefit of the host communities.

The house leader, Prince Jerome Isangedighi in a motion seconded by Mr.
Anietie Etuk representing Nsit Ubium state constituency urged SPDC to
appear before the house over the oil spillage.

Besides earlier visitations by the state deputy governor, Mr. Patrick
Ekpotu to the affected area, chairman, Ikot Abasi transition committee,
Mr. Robert Ikpoh said the council had written to the company requesting
its attention to find solutions to the problem but it failed to identify
with the plights of the people affected by the spills.

Speaker, state House of Assembly, Mr. Ignatius Kevin Edet earlier,
suspended further implementation of the committee's report by the House
until the management of SPDC comes to explain its exploitation activities
and other related matters in the state to members next week.