Ikot Akpaden Residents Decry Abandoned Water Project, Pollution, Insecurity
Residents of Ikot Akpaden community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have raised the alarm over worsening living conditions caused by the non-completion of a government water project initiated 14 years ago.
The community, which hosts the main campus of Akwa Ibom State University, says it has been left without a functional public water supply since 2011, exposing inhabitants to serious health risks.
Locals also lament that their only police station has been abandoned, while the community’s main source of drinking water has been polluted by activities of an oil exploration company operating in the area.
The concerns were made public by the Founder and Convener of Open Forum, an advocacy group in the state, Mr. Matthew Okono, during a press briefing held in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to Okono, the water project was initiated under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programme during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. The project was supervised by the Ministry of Economic Development when Mr. Jerry Akpan served as commissioner.
He explained that although the project commenced in 2011, it was never completed or officially handed over to the community, leaving residents without access to safe and clean water.
Providing background to the issue, Okono said, ‘’Representatives of Ikot Akpaden Village Council, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State were guests of Open Forum with Citizen MKO on Memories 96.5FFM, Uyo, on Monday, December 15 2025.
‘’The delegation led by Elder Sunday Akrasi Frank, Chairman, Ikot Akpaden Village Council, had in the team, Elder Usoro Peter Ekanem, Secretary, Ikot Akpaden Village Council and Mr Gabriel Isong, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Publicity Secretary, Ikot Akpaden Village Council.
‘’The team narrated the ordeal the large population of residents of Ikot Akpaden are exposed daily to, due to the non-completion of the only water scheme constructed for the community in 2011, 14 years ago by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
‘’The project was executed under the Millennium Development Goals during the administration of then Governor Godswill Akpabio and was supervised by the ministry of economic development with Mr Jerry Akpan as commissioner.
’They also explained that the police station that served the community had been abandoned and was now overtaken by weeds. Lastly, they complained of the activities of Sterling Global, the oil company operating within the community which is currently flaring gas in the midst of the densely populated community.”
Following the radio programme, Okono said he undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Ikot Akpaden to verify the complaints.
‘Okono said he was forced to visit the community after listening to the pathetic stories of their residents.
‘’During the tour, we inspected the site of the Ikot Akpaden water scheme, the polluted “Edim Ebob” that the village council chairman, Chief Akrasi said used to serve as the community’s drinking water source, gas flaring spot of Sterling Global and the abandoned police station.
‘’On the issue of the water project, Open Forum met with Jerry Akpan, then Commissioner for Economic Development, under whose watch the contract for the water scheme was awarded under the MDG programme,” the activist said.
He further appealed to Governor Umo Eno to urgently intervene and complete the long-abandoned project to bring relief to the suffering residents.
‘’We appeal to the Akwa Ibom State Government to review the project and ensure the water scheme is fully completed and handed over to the community. This will alleviate the suffering of residents of Ikot Akpaden. It will also endear the government to the people.
‘’We call on Akwa Ibom State Government to intervene in the ongoing environmental hazard occasioned by oil exploitation activities by Sterling Global which includes the flaring of gas within the densely populated community and pollution of the only water source in the community.
“The intervention would ensure the people of Ikot Akpadem are not exposed to unnecessary and avoidable hazards.
‘’Open Forum also request the State Government to renovate the abandoned police station in the community to provide security in the village which host a large population, including the huge student, lecturers and management staff of the Main Campus of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU).’’
Residents of the area say they hope the renewed advocacy will compel relevant authorities to address the longstanding challenges, restore basic amenities and protect the health and safety of the host community.
