A civil society organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Open Forum, has appealed to Governor Umo Eno to review and complete the Ikot-Akpaden water project in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, which has been abandoned for over 14 years.

The call was made by the group’s founder, Citizen Mathew Kofi Okono, in a statement issued in Uyo over the weekend. He said the appeal followed complaints raised by community elders during a live radio programme, where they lamented the prolonged neglect of the water project.

According to Okono, the elders—led by Chief Sunday Akrasi Frank—explained that the water scheme, which was the only source of potable water for the community, was initiated in 2011 under the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. However, the project was never fully completed or formally handed over to the community.

He noted that residents have continued to suffer due to the lack of access to clean water, stressing that the solar-powered water facility was meant to be reticulated across the community but remains non-functional.

“We appeal to the Akwa Ibom State Government to review the project and ensure that the water scheme is completed and handed over to the community. This will significantly reduce the hardship faced by residents of Ikot Akpaden and further strengthen the bond between the government and the people,” the statement read.

Open Forum also raised concerns about environmental hazards in the area, allegedly caused by oil exploration activities by Sterling Global. These include gas flaring and pollution of the community’s only water source. Okono called on the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to intervene, noting that the company’s management had allegedly ignored invitations to address the community’s concerns.

Additionally, the group urged the state government to renovate the abandoned police station in the area to improve security, especially given the presence of students, lecturers, and staff of the main campus of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) located within the community.

The organisation further appealed to the government to intervene in issues surrounding crude oil discoveries by Sterling Global in Oruk Anam and the reported compensation paid to Ikot Oku village, warning that unresolved grievances could lead to unrest.