Farmers residing in Okoro-Utip, located within the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have expressed deep concern about the adverse effects of oil spills on their crops and aquatic life.

These grievances were voiced during a community dialogue session with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) held at the Okoro-Utip Community hall on Tuesday.

The farmers shared their struggles, detailing how they have been witnessing reduced crop yields due to the contact of oil with their crops. Many of them disclosed that they had taken loans from microfinance banks with the expectation of substantial crop yields, but were disheartened by the disappointing results.

Pastor AbasiUbong John, a farmer within the community, guided HOMEF representatives around his farm and revealed that cassava stems he had planted over a year ago had yet to produce tubers, and the stems were beginning to decay. Additionally, he pointed out that all the vegetables cultivated on his farm had turned yellow, and even with the application of fertilizers, there had been no positive impact on the crops.

According to him, “This cassava you see here, I planted it over one year ago and when you harvest, nothing will be inside of it. If you leave it to stay longer, it will start decaying from the ground.

“The problem is that the oil that enters the farm will destroy the grass and whatsoever you plant even if you apply organic manure, it will not work not to talk of fertilizer. This oil drilling has affected Ibeno people seriously. It has affected our soil such that you cannot see earthworm, millipedes, etc which help in the soil aeration.” 

Furthermore, Elizabeth Ifum, another farmer, expressed concerns about the well-being of her community members due to the consumption of crops that required the use of fertilizers. She explained that without the application of fertilizers, plants would not thrive in the area.

Prior to this, Stephen Oduware, the Project Lead at HOMEF, characterized Ibeno as a focal point for oil pollution and urged the residents to take a stand and demand what rightfully belongs to them.