For the people of Ibeno, a rich oil producing community in Akwa Ibom State, the blessing of having oil has turned to be a curse following the
environmental, economic and health hazards caused by oil exploration and exploitation by oil companies.
According to one of the youth activists in the area, Rhoda, there is no potable water in Ibeno, adding that a sachet of water is sold at N100. “About two years ago when I was pregnant, I noticed that something was coming out of my nostrils. I was having severe chest pain, so I went to see a doctor in Uyo.
She admitted that there was initially potable water in the community but since the oil spill started, they no longer have access to it. “Is it the noise pollution? We don’t sleep at night because the walls will be vibrating as if someone is shaking it or knocking at the door. All these things are as a result of oil exploration by the oil companies, it is terrible.”
A fisherman from Inuaeyen community, Ibeno Local Government Area, Chief Moses Akpankpo said the community experienced oil spills in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2019, but that nothing was done about it until 2022. Though the oil giant, Exxon Mobil, operating in that area cleaned it up, it found it difficult to clean subsequent oil spills immediately they occurred until they caused damages.
“This was done to the detriment of the fishermen, farmers and allied businesses who recorded huge losses with attendant abject poverty and frustration,” he alleged.Udeagha on several occasions had said the multinational oil company is always up and doing whenever the need arises.
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