About 27 coastal communities in Akwa Ibom State have been affected by a fresh oil spill, allegedly caused by an international oil-producing company’s facility in the area.
The spill occurred in the early hours of Thursday in the state’s Ibeno Local Government Area.
The affected communities include Inua Eyet Ikot, Iwuo Ukpom, Mkpanak, Esuk Ikim Akwaha, Esuk Ikim Ekeme (Nta Ikang), Itak Idim Nekpe, Itak Ifaha, Ndito Eka Iba, Atia, Okposo I & II, New Barracks, Ineh Atian, Itak Ibang, Upenekang and Okoro Itak.
Others include Iwuochang, Ikot Inwang, Okoro Utip, Ntafre, Atabre Ikan, Idung Abasi Okure, Qua Iboe River, Iwuo Ukpo Opolom, Ineh Ebot, Ineh Ikwe, Ineh Ukpana and Ntungo Akata.
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Some stakeholders of the affected communities confirmed the development with our correspondent in Uyo.
The spill is said to have polluted the water bodies of the affected communities, killing fishes, fingerlings and other aquatic animals and seafood.
Communities in four local government areas of Ibeno, ONNA, Eket, Esit Eket, and other riverine Local Government Areas are said to have been affected by the spillage.
Speaking to our correspondent in Uyo via telephone, the Commissioner for Environment, Uno Etim Uno, said his Permanent Secretary visited the area on Monday alongside some officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to take samples of the spillage for proper investigation to determine whether it was actually an oil spill.
He said, “My office is aware. My Permanent Secretary visited the area today alongside some officials of NASRA. As you know, NOSDRA is the government agency that determines whether there is a spill or not. Samples were taken for proper investigation to determine whether there was a spill or not.The state government is interested in the wellbeing of its citizens so we are waiting for the results before any action is taken.”
