Communities in Akwa Ibom State call for inspection and cleanup of abandoned oil wells
Residents of oil-producing communities in the Ikomo and Ibiono-Ibom districts of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, have called for the urgent inspection, remediation of contaminated areas, and securing of abandoned oil wells and other aging infrastructure. They said the prolonged neglect of these sites exposes the environment and their livelihoods to pollution risks. This was reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
The demands were voiced during a community dialogue in Ikot Enua organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation. Participants reported oil pollution, declining crop yields, ecosystem damage, and possible illegal activity near abandoned oil facilities.
A well sealed in 1958
During the meeting, residents showed journalists a wellhead that locals call a “Christmas tree.” A field report presented by Peace Point Development Foundation coordinator Uma Isua-Ikoh stated that the well was discovered and sealed in 1958. Residents say they were told at the time that extraction was not commercially viable.
The outlet reported that oil-like traces were visible near the wellhead and that a faint sound could be heard coming from the structure. The report called for the site’s condition, integrity, owner, and potential environmental risks to be clearly documented before any intervention.
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Uyo-Afaha-Nkan community resident Trust Udo said that his land in the marshy Idim-Etok area had been affected by oil spills near another well which, he said, was abandoned in 1958. He also reported that the community had repeatedly appealed to the authorities, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the former Department of Petroleum Resources, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Reports of illegal activity
Residents expressed concern about possible illegal oil extraction near abandoned assets. According to them, people allegedly involved arrived with armed companions and fired into the air, causing fear among the population. In August, the chairman of the Ikomo local council led a security operation to dismantle a suspected illegal oil extraction site in Ediene-Atai near Ikot Enua.
Ikot-Idaha village head Kingsley Ekpo said residents notice an oil film on streams, especially during the rainy season, and called on the authorities to clean up the area. Dialogue participants also proposed training and supporting young people from communities hosting oil facilities so they could help monitor the condition of abandoned infrastructure.
The report documented three abandoned sealed wells in Ntan-Mbat and Adarabom in the Ibiono-Ibom district, an old pipeline in a swamp near Ikot-Uba and Edem-Urua that is largely covered by vegetation, as well as an oil installation in Ikot-Idasi. Based on community feedback, the dialogue organizers plan to prepare an action plan for submission to government bodies and other stakeholders.
