‘Sound Like Earthquake’: Akwa Ibom Community Laments Sleepless Nights Over Gas Flare

Residents of Ikot Ebidang community in Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have raised alarm over the devastating impact of gas flaring by Natural Oilfield Service (Sterling Global), describing sleepless nights, health crises, and environmental destruction. Community stakeholders told a renewable energy dialogue that the noxious gas discharge, tumultuous sounds, and combustion residues have caused darkened rooftops, poor crop yield, skin rashes, and altered aquatic life.

One resident lamented: “We have lost a lot of people… If you stay till 7-8 pm when everywhere is quiet, the sound alone is like an earthquake.” Environmental expert Dr. Nnimmo Bassey warned of severe long-term risks, including cancers and reproductive disorders. The community is demanding renegotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company, compensation for livelihood losses, and relocation of flare stacks away from residential areas.

Key Points:

Gas flaring continues illegally, violating human rights and causing severe health and environmental damage.
The community faces immediate health crises and long-term risks of cancers and reproductive disorders.
Residents bear the cost of oil extraction, while the company profits from their suffering.
This signals the persistent failure to enforce anti-gas flaring laws in the Niger Delta.
The timing, with dialogue ongoing, pressures the government and company to act.

Ikot Ebidang community demands urgent action to halt gas flaring, compensate for losses, and relocate flare stacks as health and environmental devastation worsen.

Sources: Daily Post Nigeria, Daily Trust