Akwa Ibom community revisits demand for N7.6bn compensation over gas pipeline explosion:

Obotim Nsit community in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday lamented that the effects of the gas pipeline explosion that occurred in 2016 in the community is still killing people and destroying economic trees and livelihoods.

The gas pipeline, which runs through the community from Ukanafun to Calabar, Cross River State, exploded at Asang Community High School in the area, killing more than 28 people and had rendered the land unproductive.

Speaking at a media briefing in the community, the village head, Eteidun Iniobong Akpan, expressed disgust that his people are still suffering from heart attacks, while houses are still collapsing as a result of the incident.

“Since the gas pipeline explosion, we have been having one effect after the other, damage after damages. Many houses have collapsed. Water from rains is always black and unfit for consumption as a result of the gas emissions, which is still in the air.

“Most of our people are suffering from heart attacks. The roof of Asang Community High School where the incident occurred have been ripped open and since then, no conscious effort has been taken to renovate the school.

“Recently, students writing WASSCE in the school had had to stop writing exams to allow the rain to stop because of the leaking roofs.

“There is no electricity in our community since then because the Seven Energy company ordered that the transformer be disabled to enable the fire that erupted from the explosion to be put out.

“We can’t even breathe good air because the atmosphere of our community is still polluted. This has led to serious health challenges for the people,” he lamented.

The community disclosed that it has requested N7.6bn compensation from the company to enable it clean up the mess and called on both the state and federal governments to come to the aid of the community.

“We are also urging the Akwa Ibom and Federal governments to intervene, so that we can have our lives back” the village head added.