Unyenge: Indigenes of the Unyenge community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom took to the streets on Thursday to protest against what they describe as 17 years of neglect by oil firms operating in their area. Led by the Unyenge Youth President, Mr. Joseph Timothy, the community members demanded urgent attention to a collapsed bridge and the implementation of an eight-point development agenda.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the bridge, which serves as a vital link between Unyenge Village and Unyenge Beach to the operational base of the companies, collapsed on October 15, 2025, after a company truck overloaded with goods drove over it. Despite numerous appeals from the Council of Chiefs, the bridge remains unrepaired. Timothy mentioned that the companies had promised to reconstruct the bridge last December but have yet to fulfill their commitment. Currently, the companies utilize a pontoon to cross the river, a service not extended to community members, who are forced to pay around N1,500 to travel by boat.
The community’s eight-point demands include the construction of motorable roads, increased employment opportunities for Unyenge indigenes, improved working conditions, and the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge. Other demands focus on salary reviews, implementing environmental impact assessment recommendations, revising security surveillance contracts, and rejecting plans to establish a fly camp across the bridge. These demands target Savannah Energy Nigeria Limited and other companies operating in the area, including Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Shimao, and Jeosco, subcontractors for Savannah Energy.
Timothy emphasized the community’s resolve, stating, “We are demanding that the companies address these issues before carrying out further production activities in our community. We will not leave here until we see equipment brought in to begin the reconstruction of the bridge.”
Community woman Mrs. Nkoyo Etim expressed concerns over the lack of basic amenities and insufficient employment opportunities for women and young people. She highlighted the adverse effects of gas flaring and oil pollution on residents’ health, water sources, and agricultural activities. Etim lamented, “We do not have a hospital, potable water, good roads, or a functional market,” adding that respiratory illnesses and reduced crop yields have been significant issues since the bridge’s collapse increased travel costs and difficulties.
Chief Godwin Matthew, speaking on behalf of the Village Council, noted the long-standing deprivation, neglect, and abandonment the Unyenge people have faced. He called on the oil companies to construct the access road leading to the community where oil and gas are drilled daily, urging them to address infrastructure, environmental, and welfare concerns and engage more meaningfully with residents.
Attempts to contact the Community Manager, Mrs. Arit Bassey, for comments were unsuccessful, as her phone went unanswered and she had not responded to text messages at the time of going to press.