The Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) has called out the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, over the alleged lopsided distribution of federal oil and gas sector employment opportunities among Akwa Ibom indigenes, with 30 of 34 beneficiaries reportedly coming from his senatorial district.
According to the group, the two other senatorial districts in the state were allocated only two beneficiaries each, a disparity it described as disturbing and unacceptable if the published figures are found to be accurate.
In a statement issued Wednesday, signed by its International Public Relations Officer, Akparawa (Pst) Idongesit Ikono, MMI said the controversy was not about denying any Akwa Ibom indigene access to employment but about ensuring that opportunities facilitated through a minister representing the entire state are distributed fairly.
“The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources occupies a ministerial position representing Akwa Ibom State in the Federal Executive Council; he does not occupy the position as a representative of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District,” it said.
MMI argued that the alleged imbalance could create a dangerous precedent in which public office holders treat state-wide opportunities as though they were constituency benefits, stressing that employment opportunities in the federal oil and gas sector should reflect the principle of fairness and broad representation across the state.
The group warned that “public office holders entrusted with responsibilities that affect an entire state should not be seen to concentrate opportunities meant for the generality of the people in their immediate political constituencies or communities,” saying such a practice could deepen feelings of exclusion and undermine the principle of equal opportunity.
It therefore challenged Ekpo to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported list, including its authenticity, the total number of employment opportunities involved and the criteria used in selecting the beneficiaries, insisting that transparency would help address concerns over the apparent disparity.
MMI also appealed to Ekpo and other political office holders from Akwa Ibom to put the collective interest of the state above senatorial, local government and community considerations.
“Every Akwa Ibom indigene, irrespective of senatorial district, local government area, political affiliation or community, deserves a fair opportunity to benefit from government programmes and interventions,” the group said.
The organisation said it would continue to oppose any proven discrimination or preferential allocation of public opportunities, insisting that equitable access to government benefits was necessary to preserve unity and public confidence in the state. “Akwa Ibom belongs to all of us. Public opportunities must therefore be administered with fairness, transparency and inclusiveness,” it declared.
