Gas Flaring Crisis in Akwa Ibom: Onna Communities Endure Sleepless Nights as Flames Burn Beyond Deadline!
Gas Flaring Crisis in Akwa Ibom: Onna Communities Endure Sleepless Nights as Flames Burn Beyond Deadline!
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, Editor-in-chief | Sele Media Africa
Residents of oil-producing communities in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State say prolonged gas flaring from nearby oil facilities has turned their nights into what they describe as “relentless daylight,” raising fresh concerns about environmental safety and community well-being in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
According to community members, the flare—initially expected to last only seven days—has continued for more than a month, emitting intense light, heat, and noise that have disrupted daily life and sleep patterns. Residents describe a constant roaring sound similar to that of a jet engine, with vibrations and heat penetrating nearby homes.
Investigations by Premium Times revealed that the flare has illuminated entire communities after dark, casting bright orange glows across rooftops and making rest difficult for families. Many residents report that children wake in fear during the night, while others struggle with the persistent heat and noise from the flare stacks.
Community members say they were informed the flaring would be temporary, but the continued burning has heightened anxiety about possible health and environmental consequences. Some families have reportedly sent children away to stay with relatives in less affected areas due to concerns about prolonged exposure.
Gas flaring has long been a contentious issue across oil-producing areas of Akwa Ibom and the wider Niger Delta, where communities frequently raise concerns about pollution, crop damage, and respiratory health risks. Environmental studies indicate that gas flaring releases pollutants linked to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation, compounding the challenges faced by already vulnerable communities.
Despite national and international commitments to reduce routine gas flaring, Nigeria remains among the world’s leading gas-flaring nations, with oil-bearing communities continuing to bear the environmental and social costs of energy production.
Residents in Onna are calling for greater transparency from operators and regulators, as well as clear timelines for ending the ongoing flare. For many families, the immediate concern remains the same: restoring darkness at night and relief from the relentless heat and noise that have come to define daily life.
Sources: Premium Times, Punch Healthwise, HeadTopics
