By Tom Moses

IBENO—The people of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have demanded a yearly payment of $100 million as damages from ExxonMobil, over oil spills and destruction of their environment caused by the operations of the American oil company.

Speaking on the state of residents of the community at his palace in Ibeno, yesterday, the Paramount Ruler, Owong Effiong Achianga, lamented that its exploration activities of Mobil had brought untold hardship on his people. He urged the company to cushion the effects of oil exploration activities in the area by paying at least, $100 million yearly to the people.

The monarch said the demand became important as Mobil had continued to default in paying the correct compensation due the area over oil spills.