Tensions are rising in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as youths have threatened to disrupt oil and gas operations in the area following complaints against Oriental Energy Resources Limited.
The oil firm, which operates OML 115 and OML 67 (also known as the “Ebok and Okwok Fields”), has been accused of failing to comply with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) guidelines on host community relations.
The threat came after a meeting held in Enwang, the headquarters of Mbo LGA, where youth leaders and stakeholders from surrounding communities—including Enwang, Ebughu, Effiat, Uda, Udesi, and the Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide—voiced their dissatisfaction with the company’s operations.
The youths alleged that Oriental Energy Resources has not honored an agreement made in 2023 and 2024 at the NCDMB’s office in Eket, which aimed to prioritize local employment opportunities in line with national regulations.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Essang, the President General of the Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide, and other youth leaders, the group outlined specific grievances against the company.
They asserted that the oil firm has blatantly disregarded NCDMB’s guidelines, which mandate that a significant percentage of skilled and unskilled job roles should be reserved for indigenes of host communities.
According to the NCDMB Act, at least 50 percent of semi-skilled job roles and 10 percent of skilled roles must be filled by members of the host communities. If qualified personnel are not available, the oil company is required to invest in training programs to equip local youth with the necessary skills. The statement emphasized that the company’s failure to adhere to these rules has left local residents facing hardship and unemployment.
“The company’s neglect has caused untold hardship to the people of the area,” Essang said, adding that the youths had hoped the agreement would provide much-needed job opportunities and economic relief. “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop, and the lack of compliance has led to growing frustration among the youth.”
The statement also referenced a previous ultimatum given to Oriental Energy Resources in January 2025, urging the company to meet the terms of the agreement. However, with little to no response from the company, tensions continue to escalate in the coastal communities.
The youth coalition is now calling on the federal government to step in and enforce compliance with the NCDMB guidelines, warning that failure to do so could lead to disruptions in oil production in the region.
The Obolo Youth Coalition has vowed to halt the operations of the company if their demands are not met, which could result in a significant reduction in Nigeria’s oil output, particularly from the affected fields.
As the situation develops, the federal government may need to mediate to avoid further unrest and ensure that the communities’ concerns are addressed.
