Press Release
The State Executive Council (SEC) has directed Sterling Global to stop further encroachment or closing of any creek in the state.
This formed part of the resolutions taken at the end of the State Executive Council, SEC, meeting presided over by Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and was held on Wednesday in Uyo.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the Governor in council, took the decision following complaints received from various communities in the oil-bearing part of the State, particularly the area of operations of the Sterling Global.
He said the SEC after due consideration and review, directed that the oil company immediately revert and limit its operations within the 1000 hectares of land earlier allocated to it and the 700 hectares buffer zone.
Straightnews gathered that Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited operates on over 1,200 hectares of land in excess of the acquired 1,736 hectares in Iko Town in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of the state.
He further said that the council directed the Ministry of Lands to take appropriate actions to ensure the determination of all statuses as regards the approvals given, and to ensure that they operate within the confines of the law.
Umanah stated that the council approved the establishment of a Department of Occupational Safety in the State public service to be headed by a Permanent Secretary under the Office of the Head of Civil Service as well as the recruitment of Safety Officers.
The statement also stated that SEC, pursuant to the Agriculture and Food Sufficiency program of the ARISE Agenda, inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee headed by Prof. Okon Ansa.
Members of the committee are the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Prof. Elizabeth Ebukiba, Dr. Etemudo Udongo, Ambassador Alphonsus Inyang and Pastor Godwin Ukwat, while Mr. Ofonbuk Nelson will serve as Secretary.
The statement also revealed that the governor granted approval for the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to exercise supervisory role over the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Asset Management and Maintenance Agency, with effect from April 2, 2025.
