Akwa Ibom State — Residents of Ikot Eket in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State are not happy over continuous gas flaring in their community, which has persisted for more than a month.
The environmental pollution, reportedly from an undisclosed oil or gas facility, has already led to severe health concerns and the displacement of several families.
According to eyewitnesses, the flare site—believed to be operated by a company yet to be officially identified—has been burning “day and night,” filling the air with smoke and strong heat.
Footages from the scene captured by a non-governmental organization, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), show the flames burning high into the sky, and heavy noise which could be heard from a very far distance.
From the video, you could see a security vehicle stationed at the entrance to the company with operatives inside.
This is mostly done by oil companies to prevent people from taking pictures or videos of their illegal/anti-environmental operations.
As horrible as it appears, the government and the company operating the facility didn’t consult with the locals before flaring such dangerous gas in the community.
Residents report respiratory challenges, eye irritation, and a sharp decline in air quality.
“We can hardly breathe at night, and some families have left the area for fear of long-term sickness,” said one community member who pleaded anonymity.
Environmentalists and local activists including HOMEF have condemned the act, describing it as a violation of Nigeria’s environmental protection laws and an assault on the livelihood of rural dwellers.
Gas flaring, the burning of natural gas associated with crude oil extraction, has been declared illegal in Nigeria under the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act of 1979 and reaffirmed in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021).
Despite these laws, multinational and local oil companies continue to flare gas, often without consequence.
Experts’ Concerns
Environmental experts warn that prolonged exposure to gas flaring can cause respiratory infections, skin irritation, acid rain, and soil infertility, which directly threaten farming—a key source of livelihood in Onna LGA.
Flaring contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, and communities like Ikot Eket bear the brunt of what should have been prevented decades ago.
Government Response Pending
As of press time, neither the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment nor the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has issued an official statement regarding the situation at Ikot Eket.
Calls for intervention are growing as residents demand that the flaring be stopped and the responsible company held accountable.
Calls for Accountability
Community leaders are urging the government to enforce environmental safety laws and compel oil operators to adopt gas capture technologies, rather than resorting to flaring.
“We cannot continue to be sacrificial victims of oil wealth. Our environment is dying, and our people are sick,” said a youth from Onna.
Until action is taken, Ikot Eket remains engulfed in flames and fear—a vivid reminder that Nigeria’s decades-old battle against gas flaring and environmental injustice is far from over.
