Oil Pollution Triggers Health Fears In Six Akwa Ibom Communities
By JULIET EKANEM
Communities Raise Alarm Over Contaminated Water
GROWING fears of a public health crisis have emerged in six communities in Akwa Ibom State following allegations that oil exploration activities have polluted their only natural source of drinking water.
Residents of Ikot Obio Atara, Ikot Akpan Udo, Ikot Etegh-Ideh, Ikot Utiat, Ikot Akpakpan and Ikot Iko, all located in Abak Midim Clan of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, alleged that chemical spills associated with the operations of Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company (SGOEC) have rendered their community stream unsafe for human use.
The affected communities, situated along the East-West Road corridor near the Akwa Ibom–Rivers boundary, depend almost entirely on the stream for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, irrigation and fishing. Residents say the pollution has disrupted daily life and raised fears of widespread water-borne diseases.
Residents Link Pollution to Declining Livelihoods
Community members alleged that the once-clear stream became discoloured after pipeline construction and other exploration activities began in the area several years ago.
According to residents, the contamination has destroyed aquatic life, reduced fish harvests and affected agricultural activities that sustain many families.
Some villagers claimed that children, elderly residents and nursing mothers have increasingly suffered illnesses they believe are linked to prolonged consumption of contaminated water.
A local farmer, Effiong Bassey, alleged that residents now face serious health challenges because they have no reliable alternative source of potable water.
Many households, he said, have been forced to purchase water from neighbouring communities despite rising living costs.
Fact-Finding Visit Highlights Community Concerns
The allegations attracted the attention of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Media Advocates (ISDMA), whose members conducted a fact-finding visit to the affected communities.
Following the inspection, members of the delegation expressed concern over what they described as environmental degradation and the absence of corresponding development projects for host communities.
Residents used the opportunity to present their grievances, insisting that repeated complaints had yielded little practical response.
Council Chairman Criticises Corporate Social Responsibility
Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Sunday Festus, criticised the company’s relationship with its host communities.
He argued that businesses operating within local communities have an obligation to provide meaningful social investments, particularly where their operations affect residents’ livelihoods.
According to him, the absence of potable water projects despite the reported hardship reflects poorly on the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts.
Traditional & Youth Leaders Seek Government Action
Traditional ruler of Ikot Utiat, Etteidung Akpan Moses Adambanga, described the situation as a humanitarian concern.
He explained that the stream had served generations of residents before becoming polluted shortly after pipeline construction commenced.
He appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to compel the company to undertake environmental remediation and provide potable water infrastructure.
Youth representatives also called for solar-powered water schemes, improved roads and employment opportunities to address the wider developmental challenges confronting the communities.
Environmental and health professional Nnamso Fred alleged that pipeline activities had significantly damaged aquatic ecosystems and deprived many fishermen of their traditional source of income.
Company Declines Official Comment
When approached for clarification at the project site, a representative of Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company declined to make an official statement, saying he lacked approval from the company’s head office.
The allegations remain unverified by independent environmental assessments, and regulatory authorities are yet to publicly release findings on the reported pollution.
The incident nevertheless underscores recurring concerns surrounding environmental management, access to clean water and corporate accountability in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities, where pollution disputes continue to generate social, economic and public health challenges.
