Angry residents of Unyenge, a riverine oil-producing community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have taken to the streets to protest the alleged neglect of the fishing hub by oil and gas extraction firms.
The community said the peaceful demonstration became necessary following the collapse of a link bridge connecting the Unyenge axis to other adjoining communities.
They blamed the collapse on alleged neglect and marginalisation by oil firms operating in the area amid poor infrastructure, limited employment opportunities and environmental concerns.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the protest was prompted by many years of unresolved community issues, which were recently exacerbated by the collapse of the link bridge.
The bridge has cut off residents since October 15, 2025, when one of the companies’ trucks, laden with heavy equipment, was passing through it, grounding socio-economic activities, including maritime businesses.
The protesters, including youths, women and community leaders, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, converged at the riverbank in the early hours and threatened to remain there until their concerns were addressed.
They chanted solidarity songs while displaying placards with inscriptions such as: “No bridge, no work”; “We demand employment for our youths”; and “No road, no work”, among others.
They urged Savannah Energy Nigeria Limited and other firms, including Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Shimao and Jeosco, to address their concerns without further delay.
Addressing the protesters, Chief Godwin Matthew, representing the Unyenge group of villages, alleged that Savannah Energy had failed to fulfil its promise to reconstruct the bridge.
He added that, for 17 years, community stakeholders had engaged with the company on issues bordering on the lack of an access road, water supply, a hospital and, more recently, the collapsed bridge, but to no avail.
“For over 17 years since Savannah Energy Resources started operations in our community, there has been no access road to the community. Another issue is the bridge.
‘”We pleaded with them and sent several correspondences, but all our efforts have proved abortive.
