MMI Condemns Alleged Lopsided Distribution of Oil and Gas Sector Employment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom

PRESS STATEMENT

MMI Condemns Alleged Lopsided Distribution of Oil and Gas Sector Employment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom

The Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) has noted with grave concern a publication allegedly credited to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, listing Akwa Ibom indigenes purportedly facilitated by the Minister for employment into key agencies within the oil and gas sector under his supervision. According to the purported publication, of the 34 employment opportunities said to have benefited indigenes of the state, 30 went to individuals from his senatorial district, while the other two senatorial districts received just two each.

While MMI recognises the importance of creating employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people, we are concerned by the apparent lopsidedness in the distribution of these opportunities, particularly where the beneficiaries appear to be disproportionately drawn from the Minister’s senatorial district.

For the avoidance of doubt, 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, otherwise known as Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

Consequently, any intervention, employment opportunity or other federal benefit facilitated through his office ought, as much as possible, to reflect the principle of fairness, inclusiveness and broad representation of the three senatorial districts and the various communities of Akwa Ibom State.

The alleged pattern, if established to be accurate, is disturbing and constitutes a bad precedent for public administration and equitable representation. 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.

Such a practice could encourage a dangerous precedent in which every political office holder seeks to appropriate public opportunities primarily for his or her locality, thereby undermining the principle of state character, inclusiveness and equitable distribution of government benefits.

MMI therefore calls on the Honourable Minister to clarify the circumstances surrounding the published list and the criteria used in selecting the beneficiaries, particularly the apparent concentration of beneficiaries from his senatorial district.

We equally urge the Minister and all other political office holders from Akwa Ibom State to rise above narrow political, senatorial, local government or community considerations and put the collective interest of Akwa Ibom people first.

MMI believes that public office is a trust and that 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.

We therefore condemn any proven act of discrimination or preferential allocation of public opportunities and urge all people of good conscience to speak against practices that undermine fairness, unity and equal opportunity in our state.

Akwa Ibom belongs to all of us. Public opportunities must therefore be administered with fairness, transparency and inclusiveness.

Akparawa (Pst) Idongesit Ikono, anipr
International Public Relations Officer

08/09/2026