Akwa Ibom communities accuse Indian company of environmental degradation

Seven fishing communities in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom have accused Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Company, an Indian firm, of environmental degradation, forced displacements, and human rights violations.

The communities alleged that the firm engaged in an illegal closure of federal waterways, rendering them inaccessible for consumption and passage.

The allegations come amid confirmation of a cholera outbreak in Emere-Oke, one of the affected communities.

According to Joshua Ayagwung, the village head of Emere-Oke 11, activities of the firm have reportedly plunged the host communities into a humanitarian crisis, with over 20 lives lost to the cholera outbreak linked to the lack of access to clean water and medical care.

Other communities reportedly trapped are Ikonta, Obianga, Okoroinyong, Egwenwe, Iwofe, and Amazaba.

The traditional council of the LGA laid the complaints during a press conference over the weekend.

Ayagwung, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers, said since the company began operation in 2022, the communities have been subjected to intimidation and high-handedness, including non-compliance with extant and applicable environmental laws and global best practices.

He said the company had exceeded the allocated hectares of land by over 1,200.

“This is not just negligence, but it is a calculated act of oppression designed by the company to break our spirit and displace us from our ancestral homes,” the village head said.

Ayagwung demanded the reopening of all blocked waterways, warning the company to, within 14 days, rescind its decision to forcefully displace some of the communities.

“SPFL should vacate the over 1,200 hectares of land occupied by them in excess of the acquired 1,736 hectares of land and restrict its operations thereat,” the village head listed as part of the demands.

“We demand the payment of $30 million for trespass and encroachment into our ancestral land, which does not form part of the acquired 1,736 hectares of land.

“These demands must be taken seriously, and if SPFL fails within 14 days to address our demand, we shall be left with no other option than to deploy all instrumentality of the law to press home our demands, including peaceful protest.”

The village head called on relevant state and federal agencies to investigate the matter.