Akwa Ibom Community Protests Over Alleged Oil Company Neglect

(Community Protests. Photo by Daily Post)

Residents of Unyenge in Akwa Ibom State's Mbo Local Government Area have staged a peaceful protest over alleged neglect and marginalisation by oil companies operating in the area, alleging poor infrastructure, limited economic possibilities, and environmental concerns.

The protest was sparked by many years of unresolved difficulties, as well as the collapse of a bridge in the region on October 15, 2025, while one of the company's trucks carrying heavy equipment was going over it.

Protesters claimed that the collapse of the bridge had halted their economic activities, particularly lumbering, which they said was their major occupation.

The protesters, comprising youths, women and community leaders, gathered at the bank of the river in the early hours of Thursday and threatened to occupy the area until their concerns were addressed.

They sang solidarity songs and displayed placards bearing various inscriptions, including "No bridge, no work," "Employment of our youths," and "No road, no work," among others, urging Savannah Energy Nigeria Limited and other companies operating in the area, including Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Shimao and Jeosco, to address their concerns without further delay.

Speaking on behalf of the Unyenge group of villages, Chief Godwin Matthew alleged that Savannah Energy had failed to keep its promise to reconstruct the bridge, adding that for 17 years, community stakeholders had engaged the company over issues bordering on lack of access roads, water supply, healthcare and, more recently, the bridge, without any meaningful response.

He said that in the 17 years since Savannah Energy Resources began operations in the community, there has been no access road, and despite pleas and several correspondences over the bridge, all efforts had proved unsuccessful.

He added that although the community's youths had worked with the company and others over the years, none had been converted to permanent staff, and that the community still lacks a hospital and pipe-borne water.

He said the peaceful demonstration would continue until the year's end if necessary, insisting that no one would leave until their grievances were addressed.

Matthew further lamented that after the bridge collapsed, the company's drivers simply diverted to an alternative route through Esit Eket and Ibeno to reach their operational base, without regard for the damage caused to the bridge.

The community's youth president, Mr Joseph Timothy, accused the companies of neglect and marginalisation across about eight areas of concern, listing these to include the lack of a motorable road, limited employment opportunities, poor conditions of service, and non-commitment to reconstructing the collapsed bridge, among others, stressing that these issues must be resolved.

The women's leader, Mrs Nkoyo Etim, also raised concerns over the companies' failure to provide basic social amenities and adequate employment opportunities for women and young people, alleging that gas flaring and oil pollution had adversely affected residents' health, water sources and agricultural activities.

Efforts to reach the community manager of Savannah Energy, Arit Bassey, proved unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report, as calls to her phone rang out without being answered.

She also did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages sent to her by journalists.