Ikot Ukpong Community and its neighbouring villages in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend, protested over the recent gas flaring in the communities, occasioned by the property and activities of Savanah Energy, one of the oil companies operating in the state.

The communities have therefore, called on the company, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria to end the gas pollution in their communities without further delay.

The communities are also demanding that the impact of the exploration on their environment be remediated to ensure a return to its original state.

The protesters were carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “Savannah Energy, you are responsible for gas leakage to destroy our communities”; “Savannah Energy, you said the pipeline is dormant, what is polluting our environments?”, among others.

They lamented the negative consequences of the flaring, saying the actions of the company had displaced them from their communities.

Speaking during the protest, a youth leader from the area, Inimfon Jack lamented how polluted the air in the affected area has been for three days due to incessant gas emission, demanding that environmental justice be given to his people.

“All we want is environmental justice; our lands should be restored to its original state. It is painful that Savanah energy and even the Federal Government and its relevant agencies has abandoned us to suffering from the protracted pollution, which has largely and negatively impacted on us.”

On the allegations that the host communities had barred relevant agencies from stoping the emission, a youth leader who gave his name as Mr Iyakndue and the Akwa Ibom State cordinator, Gas Pipelines Forum, Kufre Emanson in their respective remarks, refuted those allegations and described same as calculated lies against the oppressed communities.

“Since Sunday when this incident occurred, huge flames have been in the air and white clouds leap into the sky. The gas emission operated by Savanah 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.”

In what could be described as a swift response, the Transition Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Godwin Ekpe while empathizing with the affected communities, thanked them for their peaceful conduct during the protest.

He expressed displeasure with Savanah energy and her subsidiary company (ACCUGAS) that owns the gas pipeline in question.

“This is almost one year I assumed as the Chairman, I have never had any interface with Savanah energy if not for this emission. When I heard of this incidence, I had to look for their contact number and I am happy they are here today.

“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 reiterated.

Following the result of the joint investigation visit, JIV, carried out by the relevant agencies including the State Ministry of Environment, NOADRA, NMDPRA, amongst others, Ekpe admonished Savanah energy whose subsidiary is said to be the operators of the gas pipeline 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 the emission”, Elder Ekpe recommended.

Reacting to the sad incidence, stakeholders of Ukanafun, including Ndiana-Abasi Udom while also empathizing with the affected communities, called on the operating companies to immediately remediate the situation, provide palliatives to the displaced families and involve the various communities in their surveillance team.

Efforts by Kristina Reports to have the reaction of Savannah Energy Plc was yet unsuccessful as at the time of this report as calls and messages to the telephone contacts on the company’s website were yet unresponsive.