Author: Enwono-Abasi Elisha

Part 3 In the 2023 earth-blast operation of Geo-seismic Survey Limited, several Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State were affected, with pundits questioning why the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, through the relevant ministry, seems unaware of the harmful consequences inflicted upon community dwellers, which contradicts his ARISE agenda. “I know clearly what the Governor stands for and for the Ministry of Environment who should monitor and supervise such activities within the State and report to the Governor should say they were waiting to be informed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, who fails in its function here,…

Part 2 Since the earth-blast in 2023, petitions and other concerns from residents of the affected communities have been stonewalled by an alleged organised treachery via compromise, bribery, divide-and-rule where few regroup for peanut benefit at the detriment of the general good of the people, the common-man. Many have recounted their woes as their lives, properties, and even the environment can not remain the same after the earth-blast operation by Geo-siesmic Survey Limited, a firm contracted by Sterling Oil Limited to perform pre-exploration seismic surveys for them. According to the Community Liaison Officer and Community Interface Coordinator, CLO/CIC of 3-D…

Two years after, Geo-siesmic Survey Limited, a firm contracted by Sterling Oil Limited, has left residents of 17 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, disarrayed and disgruntled over their earth blast operations in the year 2023 in search of all forms of hydrocarbons comprising of solid, liquid and gaseous minerals.  This activity has cost members of the affected communities their homes, sources of drinking water, farmlands, and economic trees as the company has reneged on its compensation plan with the affected communities. Etteidung Etukessien Monday Etuk, Ayam Efa Village Head, Etinan LGA, recounted his experience, “Geo-siesmic came to our…

The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon has sponsored a 4-Day medical and surgical outreach for constituents. As contained in a release from his office, the 4-Day free medical outreach will commence on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, through Friday, March 14, 2025, by 9:00am daily. The venues for Itu people will be at Primary Health Centre, Mbak Atai, Itu LGA, while the venue for Ibiono Ibom indigenes will be at Palmer Memorial Hospital, Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA, all of Akwa Ibom State. The schedule Is…

Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) is committed towards providing quality education facilities and infrastructure support for Schools in the Akwa Ibom State. VCDF’s interventions include building capacities of teachers for classroom management and essential soft skills, learning enhancement programs designed to cultivate critical thinking and innovation among students, and substantial infrastructural support to create conducive learning environments. VCDF in collaborative partnerships with the State Ministry of Education, Akwa Ibom ensuring its initiatives are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with state educational mandates and guidelines. By prioritizing systemic improvements in education and infrastructure, VCDF reinforces its commitment to creating lasting change. Through…

Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have expressed worry over the inefficient implementation of Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDT) Funds as provided by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 for host communities to leverage upon and benefit. This was the focal point of the 2-day dialogue on exploring host community beneficiation provisions within the PIA organised by Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Oxfam in Nigeria, recently. The meeting had participants which included; representatives of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) from Ibeno, Eket, Mbo, Esit Eket, Uruan, Ikot Abasi LGAs, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment/Mineral Resources,…

Media actors in Akwa Ibom State have been charged to demand fiscal transparency and responsibility from stakeholders in the extractive sector for inclusiveness and enhance expected development in host communities. This was the focal point of the two-day capacity building on fiscal accountability organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Oxfam, recently, where select Investigative Journalists were onboarded in Extractive Host Communities. https://crestnews.ng/general-lagbaja-will-be-remembered-for-his-dedicated-service-etteh/ In his keynote address, Mr. Ayo Omuwu, the Senior Program Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, welcomed participants and urged them to optimally engage in the sessions to be equipped with skills to…

Oil spill site at Esit Eket community as permitted to be used by Pst. Macaulay Nyoho, an Environmentalist Over a month of traversing the creeks, mangroves and shores of oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State lies a picture of rich, green vegetation mashed in the sheen of oil flowing to the surface by the operations of oil companies. Few species of flora and fauna left recedes and become afraid of the environment they once survived in. Unyenge Community, Mbo LGA -Akwa Ibom State The 1hr 34 mins drive from Enwang to Unyenge Community of Mbo LGA, covered approximately 10km…

“Words may fade but silent deeds etch their marks on time.” This famous saying succinctly describes the engagements of Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, LL.B, BL, in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly within one year since he resumed duty to represent the people of Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. His footprints in public service have always been that of a man who charts his path to fit the uniqueness of his being. The being that yearns to be closer to his people and make his door open for all. On the saddle of…

A typical residence of an Ibeno woman with a beach behind. Photo shot by Enwono-Abasi, The Crest Newspaper.   ————————— More than thirty (30) women from Okoro-utib, Iwuo-okpom, Okpolum communities of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State who are in search of a better way to dry their seafoods while protecting their environment are grappling with a lot of other challenges. “These women will be so helpless with their charred skin if they don’t stand up to help themselves,” an Environmentalist said. In a laid back fishing settlement of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria,…