Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt –– In a bold move, the people of Ikot Ukpong community in Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom State have staged a peaceful protest, demanding an end to persistent gas leakages and environmental pollution caused by the activities of Savannah Energy Ltd. in the area.
The protest, which saw the elders, women, youths, and children rolling on the ground to lament the negative consequences of gas emissions, was sparked by the company’s alleged failure to address the issue, despite numerous complaints by the community.
SweetcrudeReports had recently reported fresh gas leaks from a pipeline operated by Savannah Energy Ltd in Ikot Ukpong last Sunday, over which the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, had called for calm.
One of the protesters and youth leader of Ikot Ukpong community, Comrade Inimfon Jack, lamented that gas-polluted air has impacted the community in the last week, due to prolonged gas emissions.Jack said the community was also demanding that the impact of oil and gas exploration on their environment be remediated to ensure the environment is restored to its original state and called on Savannah Energy and the Federal Government to end gas pollution in the area.
He said: “All we want is environmental justice; our lands should be restored to its original state. It is painful that Savannah Energy and even the Federal Government and its relevant agencies have abandoned us to suffer from the protracted pollution, which has negatively impacted us.”
On the allegations that the host communities had barred relevant government agencies from stopping the emission, Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Gas Pipeline Forum, Kufre Emanson, refuted the claims and described them as “calculated lies against the oppressed communities.”
“Since last Sunday when this incident occurred, huge flames billow have been in the air and white clouds leap into the sky. The gas emission operated by Savannah Energy belch out noxious fumes that loom over homes, farms and shops with strange smell and an audible hiss in the air, yet we have remained quiet.
“We haven’t blocked any representative of these companies. The allegations that relevant agencies who came to rescue the situation were barred are all false,” Emanson emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Transition Chairman of Ukanafun LGA, Elder Godwin Ekpe, who lauded the protesters for their peaceful conduct, expressed displeasure with Savannah Energy and her subsidiary company (ACCUGAS) who operates the leaking gas pipeline.
“This is almost one year I assumed as the Chairman of Ukanafun, I have never had any interface with Savannah Energy if not for this gas pollution. When I heard of this incident, I had to look for their contact number.
“I am fully aware that because of this incident, people no longer cook in their houses because of the fear of gas explosion. People have left their houses, I have also been told that one pregnant woman is hospitalized in Ukanafun. Despite all these, you have remained calm and I thank you. Let me use this opportunity to warn everyone spreading false information that Ukanafun people are barring relevant authorities to desist from such act. Ukanafun people are peaceful people,” he said.
Following the result of the JIV carried out by the relevant agencies including the pipeline operator, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, NMDPRA, amongst others, Ekpe charged Savannah Energy to intensify surveillance on their property.
“It is very sad that no internal security has been employed in the surveillance of these pipelines, if such measure were taken, this would have been averted. I call on the operating company to conduct a proper impact assessment and take into consideration, families and properties that have been affected by this gas pollution,” he said.
