Residents of Unyenge in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have cried out over what they described as years of neglect, marginalisation, and unfulfilled promises by oil companies operating in and around their community.
The residents, including women, youths, elders, and community leaders, staged a peaceful protest on Thursday, lamenting poor road infrastructure, limited employment opportunities for indigenes, inadequate access to basic social amenities, and concerns over the impact of oil exploration activities on their environment and livelihoods.
The protest followed the collapse of a major bridge in the community on October 15, 2025, after a truck reportedly conveying heavy equipment belonging to one of the companies passed through it.
According to the protesters, the collapsed bridge has become a major source of hardship for residents, cutting off movement and disrupting economic activities, particularly lumbering, which they described as the major occupation of many people in the area.
With the bridge still unrepaired months after the incident, residents said they have been left to bear the consequences, with traders, workers, farmers, and families struggling to move goods and access other communities.
The protesters gathered at the riverbank in the early hours of Thursday, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Bridge, No Work,” “No Road, No Work,” and “Employ Our Youths.”
They threatened to occupy the area until their concerns were addressed by Savannah Energy Nigeria Limited and other companies operating in the area, including Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Shimao, and Jeosco.
Speaking on behalf of the Unyenge group of villages, Chief Godwin Matthew accused Savannah Energy of failing to fulfil its alleged commitment to reconstruct the collapsed bridge.
He said the community had engaged the company for more than 17 years over several development concerns, including the absence of a proper access road, inadequate water supply, lack of healthcare facilities, limited employment opportunities, and the need for improved infrastructure.
“For over 17 years since Savannah Energy began operations in our community, there has been no access road to the community,” Chief Matthew said.
“Another major concern is the bridge. We have pleaded with them and sent several letters and correspondences, but all our efforts have proved abortive.”
Residents said it was painful that companies could conduct business and generate economic value from their community while the people continued to struggle with poor roads, inadequate social amenities, and limited opportunities.
Some protesters expressed concern that the continued neglect of the bridge could further weaken the local economy and deepen hardship among families who depend on the route for their daily survival.
The community leaders appealed to the relevant oil companies, government authorities, and regulatory agencies to urgently intervene and ensure the reconstruction of the bridge and the provision of basic infrastructure.
They maintained that their protest was peaceful and was aimed at drawing attention to the suffering of the people and securing a lasting solution to the community’s long-standing concerns.
As of the time of filing this report, the companies mentioned had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by the protesters.
The people of Unyenge are now calling for more than promises. They want a functional bridge, accessible roads, employment opportunities for their youths, and development that reflects the contributions their community has made to the oil and gas sector.
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