By Esseh Ikora
Leaders of Ikot Ebon Community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state have resolved to outrightly reject the proposed establishment of 1200 MW nuclear plant by the federal government in the area.
The secretary to Ikot Ebon traditional rulers council, Mr Okon Akpan, made the disclosure in Uyo made while speaking to newsmen.
Akpan, who said the Federal Government was yet to officially inform the community of the proposed project added the community was not ready to host nuclear power plant.
According to him the community would reject the proposal when the federal government eventually reveals its plan for the establishment of the proposed nuclear plant in the area.
He stressed “What we are going to do is to come together as a community to oppose the idea because of its disastrous consequences which far outweigh its advantages.
Also speaking, a Youth Leader in the community, Mr William Kevin, wondered if the community would be relocated from their ancestral land before establishing the proposed nuclear plant.
He noted that preliminary investigation has shown that the nuclear plant should be established about 30 km away from residential areas.
He added that the establishment of such plant required good maintenance culture which is lacking among Nigerian.
“When I heard it on national news, I went and did my findings from professionals at the University of Uyo of the dangers and benefits of the project.
“I found out that it will generate electricity and provide employment for the populace but the problem is that we Nigerians do not have maintenance culture.
“And again the proposed plant will have to be 30 km away from the community; does it mean that the whole community will be taken away for this project?
“We are having a government that does not listen to the people, the next thing they will say is that, they have brought development to the community and we rejected it.
“Fine, it is a development, but it is not all development that we should receive because we lack maintenance culture, “he said.
Russia and Nigeria last year signed an agreement on construction and operation of a nuclear power plant as well as a multipurpose nuclear research center in Nigeria.
