Residents of Akwa Ibom Oil Communities Suffer from Gas Flaring: The Human Toll of Energy Wealth

Overview

In the oil-rich region of Onna, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, communities are grappling with the harsh realities of gas flaring. Families are forced to endure life in close proximity to burning gas stacks that illuminate their nights and poison their air and water. This has raised concerns about the disparity between Nigeria’s oil wealth and the impact it has on its citizens.

Blazing Nights and Sleepless Days

As night falls over Ikot Ebekpo, Ikot Ebidang, and Ikot Annang, an eerie orange glow takes over, turning darkness into perpetual daylight. The flames roar from towering stacks, resonating like a low-flying aircraft, disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the night. Residing just meters from the flares, the locals face unsettling disruptions to their lives; children awaken in terror, while men and women anxiously await the break of dawn.

Edward George, a resident of Ikot Ebekpo, recalls being told that the gas flare would only burn for a week. As he stands near the inferno, he reflects, “That was over a month ago. The heat is suffocating, and the vibrations shake our homes. This situation was never disclosed to us.”

For the sake of his children’s health, George made the difficult decision to send them to stay with relatives outside the area. “Let me suffer the consequences, but not my children. I refuse to let outsiders disrupt our way of life.”

The Health Crisis

Local residents are bearing the brunt of environmental degradation. George reports that they are often left coughing and pulling soot from their nostrils. The relentless heat has withered his crops, vital to his livelihood, while those with respiratory issues have fled in search of cleaner air.

The existence of flare stacks just 118 meters from the nearest home, comparable to a standard football pitch, has transformed the landscape. Observers note abandoned houses overtaken by weeds, silent witnesses to a mass exodus fueled by discomfort and health concerns.

Margaret Akpan, a mother from the area, shares her anguish: “Since the flare began in January, my children and I have been plagued by heat rashes. We can’t escape the heat, and the coughing fits have become rampant in our community.”

Fishermen in Ikot Ebidang are also feeling the strain. Francis Ekanem lamented the absence of fish and the striking visual of his once-bustling fishing grounds now devoid of life. “The water is tainted and hotter. The fish have vanished, and I find myself drowning in debt just to feed my family.”

The Relationship with Oil Companies

The gas flaring is linked to operations at the Utapate field, managed by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited. Despite the expected financial gains from this oil-rich area, community members feel abandoned to face the adverse effects of gas flaring.

Controversies have surrounded Sterling Oil, the company responsible for gas flaring activities in the region. Local governance issues have compromised residents’ health and quality of life, prompting fear as new drilling equipment has appeared in residential neighborhoods.

Regina Udonsek, a community leader, expressed concern: “If they must flare gas, it must be done far from where people live.”

Regulatory Environment: A Distant Dream

Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act restricts gas flaring to emergencies unless specific exemptions are acquired. When questioned about compliance, Sterling Oil’s representatives insisted that they obtained all necessary permits. However, local residents have found these assurances cold comfort amidst their ongoing struggles.

On February 11, a dialogue focused on renewable energy convened in Ikot Ebidang, led by local organizations and health advocates. Community members voiced their challenges, calling for urgent action to address the health issues caused by the flaring. They demanded that associated gas be transported away from residential areas and adequate compensation for their lost livelihoods.

Nnimmo Bassey, the executive director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), warned of potential long-term consequences if the flaring continues. “This is more than just an immediate crisis. We are facing possible reproductive issues and cancer that could haunt future generations.”

Seeking Change

As Nigeria aims to boost oil production to three million barrels per day, the Utapate field is expected to contribute significantly to this goal. Between May 2024 and January 2026, an estimated 12.5 million standard cubic feet of gas, valued at approximately $43.7 million, has been flared, despite the pressing energy needs of local communities.

While stakeholders discuss the economic viability of oil production, locals are left with sleepless nights and dwindling resources, yearning for relief.

“The power that could illuminate our homes is being wasted in the sky,” George lamented. As families continue to endure the relentless heat and toxicity, they await decisive action from both local authorities and oil companies—a change that acknowledges their inherent right to live free from the dangers posed by gas flaring.

— Reported by Nexio News