Ikot Abasi Professionals Defend SPFL, Urge Dialogue Amid Community Concerns
The debate over the operations of Sterling Petrochemical & Fertilizer Limited (SPFL) in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area has deepened, as the Ikot Abasi League of Professionals (IALP) has moved to counter criticisms recently leveled against the company by the socio-cultural group, Mboho Ikot Abasi.
In a statement released and signed by its President, Engr. (Dr.) Emmanuel Udoh, Vice President, Barr. Mfon Essien, and Secretary, Mrs. Ekaette John, the IALP described many of the allegations against SPFL as “products of misunderstanding and incomplete information.” The League insisted that available records and stakeholder testimonies show the company has largely complied with legal and regulatory requirements.
The group said the Okopedi Road, cited as a source of community grievance, lies within SPFL’s operational perimeter and is subject to a controlled security gate. According to the League, the measure is “a standard safety procedure to safeguard lives and property and has not hindered public movement for more than a year.”
On land acquisition and compensation, IALP emphasized that settlements for crops and structures were carried out in accordance with the Land Use Act and verified by relevant government agencies.
The League also defended the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), mandated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). It explained that Ikot Abasi Local Government is represented on the Trust’s Board of Trustees and that more communities will soon gain representation through the planned Management and Advisory Committee.
In response to concerns over employment, the IALP maintained that SPFL prioritizes local hires for junior and semi-skilled jobs, while providing training programs to prepare indigenes for more technical and senior-level roles.
On environmental issues, the group pointed out that SPFL’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was duly approved by the Federal Ministry of Environment, with continuous monitoring and reports “open for review.”
Beyond clarifying these issues, the IALP highlighted what it called SPFL’s contributions to the local economy, citing job creation, scholarship funding, and infrastructure projects.
“As sons and daughters of Ikot Abasi, we understand the value of peace and the devastating consequences of conflict,” the statement read. “By working together, engaging in constructive dialogue, and leveraging the opportunities presented by SPFL’s investments, we can build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.”
The League urged all stakeholders to avoid confrontational approaches and instead pursue dialogue and collaboration, insisting that “peace, unity, and development” should remain the collective priority.
The clarification comes days after Mboho Ikot Abasi, a prominent socio-cultural body in the area, accused SPFL of “illegal and obnoxious practices,” including land encroachment, poor compensation, and exclusion of host communities from key decision-making processes. The group had demanded urgent government intervention to address the alleged grievances.
For now, the IALP’s intervention appears aimed at calming nerves, reassuring residents, and safeguarding SPFL’s operations — a company they argue is central to the area’s economic future.
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