Residents Fear Epidemic As Oil Pollution Ravages Akwa Ibom Communities

Fears of a possible disease outbreak have gripped six communities in Abak Midim Clan, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, following allegations that chemical spills from the operations of Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company (SGOEC) have polluted their only natural source of drinking water.

Residents of the affected communities accused the oil and gas firm of neglecting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations, alleging that it has failed to provide alternative potable water despite years of pollution linked to its exploration activities.

The communities—Ikot Obio Atara, Ikot Akpan Udo, Ikot Etegh-Ideh, Ikot Utiat, Ikot Akpakpan and Ikot Iko—are located along the East-West Road corridor on the Akwa Ibom-Rivers State boundary. Residents said they rely almost entirely on a common stream for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, farming and fishing.

The villagers alleged that contamination of the stream has destroyed farmlands, disrupted fishing activities and exposed residents, particularly children and the elderly, to water-borne diseases.

“Many of us, including children, mothers and the elderly, are suffering from water-borne diseases because we drink contaminated water polluted by spills and fumes from the company’s exploration activities,” a local farmer, Effiong Bassey, alleged.

Following repeated complaints by residents, members of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Media Advocates (ISDMA) visited the affected communities on a fact-finding mission and expressed concern over what they described as the destruction of livelihoods without corresponding development projects.

Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Sunday Festus, criticised the company’s relationship with its host communities, alleging that it had failed to meet acceptable standards of corporate responsibility.

“The company has failed to demonstrate any meaningful commitment to the welfare of its host communities despite the prolonged hardship being experienced by residents.

“On Corporate Social Responsibility, I will honestly rate Sterling Global zero. A company operating in our communities should not allow our people to suffer this level of hardship. Despite the suffering of our people, the company has made no effort to provide potable drinking water to these affected communities. Our people deserve far better,” he said.

The Village Head of Ikot Utiat, Etteidung Akpan Moses Adambanga, described the situation as a humanitarian concern, explaining that the community’s stream, which connects to the Imo River, had served as the only source of drinking water for generations.

According to him, the stream became polluted shortly after Sterling Global commenced underground pipeline construction in the area, leaving residents without safe drinking water.

He appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to compel the company to carry out environmental remediation and provide potable water and other basic amenities to the affected communities.

A youth representative, Mr. Nnamso Fred, who accompanied the media team to the affected sites, alleged that the once-clear stream had turned brownish and muddy following the company’s operations.

Fred, an environmental, health and safety professional, also claimed that pipeline construction had devastated aquatic life, depriving fishermen of their means of livelihood.

“Before now, the water was clean and everyone depended on it for drinking, bathing, washing and fishing. Today, the stream is polluted and aquatic life has virtually disappeared,” he alleged.

He said residents first noticed changes in the water about three years ago and reported the matter to the company.

“Representatives of Sterling Global visited the site, inspected the stream and acknowledged that their drilling activities had affected the water source. Nothing has been done since then, and residents are still left without potable drinking water. Families now buy water from neighbouring communities,” he claimed.

The Youth President of Ikot Utiat, Mr. Nelson Nkanga, urged the company to provide a solar-powered water project, rehabilitate access roads and create employment opportunities for youths in the host communities.

At Ikot Akpakpan, members of the fact-finding team also observed that the community’s only water source had turned brownish and clay-like.

A resident, Mrs. Courage Mfon, alleged that prolonged consumption of the contaminated water had caused illnesses among residents, especially children, some of whom she claimed had been hospitalised.

“Our children continue to fall sick after drinking this water. We have no alternative source, and many families cannot afford to keep buying water every day,” she alleged.

Another resident, Mr. Ubong Akpan Solomon, said villagers now travel long distances to purchase water at considerable cost, urging both the Akwa Ibom State Government and Sterling Global to urgently address the situation.

Residents in the other affected communities made similar allegations, claiming that streams which had served as reliable sources of water for decades became discoloured after the company’s drilling and pipeline activities.

When contacted for a response at the project site along the East-West Road, a representative of Sterling Global, who identified himself simply as Subanhkl, declined to comment.

“I cannot make any official statement without approval from our head office,” he said.