Scores of women from the coastal community of Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have taken to the streets in a peaceful demonstration. Their grievance is the prolonged absence of electricity and potable water supply, which has persisted for over two years.
A Cry From The Creeks: Women Decry Abandonment
The protesters, who marched to the community jetty and key security checkpoints, carried placards with various messages highlighting their suffering. They expressed deep frustration that the protracted power outage has directly caused a severe scarcity of clean water in the area. The women lamented the bitter irony of their situation: hosting critical national assets and three major oil companies, yet living without the most basic amenities.
They described a state of severe neglect and deprivation that has made life unbearable for residents. The protest, which took place on 16 December 2025, was a desperate move to draw the attention of authorities to the escalating humanitarian situation in the riverine community.
Impact on Health, Economy, and Daily Survival
The consequences of this dual crisis are severe and multifaceted. According to the women, the lack of electricity and water has crippled public health, damaged the well-being of the populace, and stifled the local economy. Small-scale businesses, which are the lifeblood of the community, have been particularly hard hit.
The situation has also drastically increased the cost of living. With no access to treated water, many households have been forced to rely on contaminated water from wells infested with reptiles. This dangerous practice carries significant health risks for the entire population.
One of the protesters, identified as Ibitonye, voiced the community's anguish: "We are protesting because of the absence of light and water. We are angry. The women of Kula are suffering. Please, we want the Federal Government to intervene." She painted a grim picture of their water sources, stating, "If you see the well we draw water from, you will shed tears for us."
An Urgent SOS to Government and Oil Firms
The protesters highlighted the injustice of their plight, noting that they are surrounded by oil wells yet live in abject poverty and neglect. "This is injustice for us the people who have oil wells surrounding them. At least in Rivers State, we have the highest number of oil wells," Ibitonye stated.
The health implications are already manifesting. The protester raised the alarm, saying, "Malaria wants to completely exterminate us because of the kind of water we drink and the environment we live in. Cholera is everywhere."
Consequently, the community has issued a save-our-soul message to multiple authorities. They are specifically calling on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the leadership of Akuku-Toru Local Council, the Federal Government, and the oil companies operating in their area—Renaissance and Bella Oil were named—to come to their aid.
"We are, therefore, calling on the governor, the local council chairman, Renaissance and Bella oil, to help us with light because we are suffering, no light, no water," Ibitonye pleaded. Their primary demand is the restoration of power supply to the island community, which they believe will alleviate their multifaceted sufferings and restore a semblance of normalcy to their lives.
