Communities in Midim Clan along the East-West Road axis in Oruk Anam Local Government Area have decried the activities of an oil firm in the area, alleging that they have led to the pollution of a stream that serves as the only source of drinking water for residents.
The affected villages include Ikot Obio Atara, Ikot Akpan Udo, Ikot Etegh-Ideh, Ikot Utiat, Ikot Akpakpan and Ikot Okoh.
The community leaders, represented by the Village Head of Ikot Utiat, Etteidung Akpan Moses Adambanga, described the water pollution as a humanitarian concern, adding that the village stream, which is linked to the Imo River, had served as the community’s only source of drinking water for generations but is now polluted.
According to the traditional ruler, the stream had been used for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, farming and fishing until Sterling Global Petroleum commenced pipeline construction across the area.
He said that shortly after the installation of underground pipelines by the oil firm, the stream became polluted, leaving residents without any source of safe drinking water.
“We appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to urgently intervene by compelling the oil company to remediate the affected stream and immediately provide a potable water scheme for the affected communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community.
The youth representative in the community, Mr Nnamso Fred, while narrating their plight, said that the stream was clear and safe for domestic use but had turned brown and muddy following the company’s operations.
Fred, an environmental, health and safety professional, observed that the laying of underground pipelines had severely impacted aquatic life, leaving fishermen without a source of livelihood.
“Before now, the water was clean and colourless. Everyone depended on it for drinking, bathing, washing and fishing. Today, the stream is polluted and aquatic life has virtually disappeared.
“I 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 our water.
“Nothing has been done since then, and residents are still left without drinking water.
“Families now buy water from neighbouring communities at about ₦250 per jerry can.”
The Youth President of Ikot Utiat, Mr Nelson Nkanga, called on Sterling Global Petroleum to immediately provide a solar-powered water project, rehabilitate the deplorable access roads and create employment opportunities for youths in the host communities.
He expressed disappointment that the company had continued operations in the area without meaningful engagement with its host communities or any visible effort to provide safe drinking water for residents affected by the alleged pollution.
At Ikot Akpakpan Village, it was observed that the community’s only source of water had also turned brown, clay-like and unsafe for drinking.
A resident, Mrs Courage Mfon, alleged that continuous consumption of the contaminated water had resulted in health complications, particularly among children, some of whom, she claimed, had been hospitalised.
“Our children have continued 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.
She appealed to Sterling Global Petroleum to provide a sustainable source of potable water, rehabilitate access roads and support the medical treatment of affected residents.
One of the company’s engineers at the project site, identified simply as Subanhkl, declined to comment on the effects of the company’s operations on the community’s water source.
“I cannot make any official statement without approval from our head office.”
The Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Hon. Sunday Festus, while conducting journalists around the polluted stream, expressed dissatisfaction with Sterling Global Petroleum’s Corporate Social Responsibility record, adding that the firm had failed to demonstrate meaningful commitment to the welfare of its host communities despite the prolonged hardship experienced by residents.
Festus lamented that Sterling Global had made no effort to provide potable drinking water to the affected communities and rated the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility performance as “zero.”
“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.”
(The Sun)