Elile , Amadaka, and Kampa communities in Eastern Obolo now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to Sterling Global’s efforts in tarring the road. This development comes after years of struggle with poor road conditions, which have made it difficult for visitors to access the area and for residents to move around. Commercial motorcycle operators have been particularly affected, with some hesitant to venture into the area due to the risk of damage to their bikes.
By Ntiense Francis
For decades, the journey to Elile, Amadaka, and Kampa; serene but isolated communities nestled in the riverine terrain of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was one many dreaded. Treacherous, muddy paths that turned impassable in the rainy season became a symbol of neglect and abandonment. For the residents, basic activities like visiting a health centre, transporting goods to nearby markets, or even attending school in neighbouring villages were daily struggles. But today, the story is taking a new turn—thanks to the intervention of Sumedha Energy Limited.
The company, known for its upstream oil operations, has undertaken a transformative road construction project that has changed the trajectory of life in these communities. The once impassable road has now been tarred, opening up a corridor of connectivity, hope, and economic revival.
Elile, Amadaka, and Kampa are situated along the fringes of the Atlantic, where fishing and petty trading are the mainstays of local livelihood. With limited infrastructure and development attention, the communities have long struggled with poor access roads that disconnected them from the rest of Eastern Obolo and the larger Akwa Ibom State.
During the rainy season, residents were often marooned, unable to leave or receive visitors. Pregnant women in labour had to be ferried by canoe and motorcycle through slippery, unsafe tracks. Traders watched their perishable goods rot for lack of transportation. Students missed school frequently. The sense of isolation was deep—and the despair, deeper.
“We had become forgotten people,” recalls Elder Anwana Ekong, a fisherman and community elder in Amadaka. “We had shouted for help for years. Politicians came and promised but nothing changed. Even motorcycle riders used to charge triple to come here. Some refused to enter entirely.”
The turning point came when Sumedha Energy Limited, operating within the jurisdiction of the communities, announced the construction of a motorable road linking Elile, Amadaka, and Kampa. For many residents, the news was met with cautious optimism. But as weeks rolled into months, and as caterpillars cleared the thickets and laid asphalt, their hopes solidified into visible transformation.
The completed road, which stretches several kilometres across marshy terrain, is now a vital artery that connects the communities not only to themselves but to broader Eastern Obolo and beyond. Commercial motorcycles, previously reluctant to traverse the route, now glide through with ease. Movement of goods and people has accelerated. Access to schools and health centres is now seamless. And with it has come a renewed sense of inclusion and development.
“This road is a miracle for us,” says Mrs. Grace Udoh, a market woman in Kampa. “For the first time, I can go to the market in Okoroette with my crayfish and return the same day. Before now, I would wait two or three days hoping the road dries up.”
While the road project is arguably the most visible intervention by Sumedha Energy Limited, it is not the only one. The company has steadily expanded its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts across various sectors in Eastern Obolo.
In the area of education, Sumedha Energy has awarded scholarships to deserving students from host communities, helping many young minds access secondary and tertiary education. Educational materials, school uniforms, and classroom furniture have also been donated to primary and secondary schools, improving the learning environment.
In health, the company has conducted medical outreaches across several villages, bringing free consultations, testing, and drugs to hundreds of residents who otherwise lack access to healthcare. During one such outreach in Amadaka, over 400 people benefited from treatment of ailments such as malaria, hypertension, skin infections, and maternal health issues.
“We don’t have many doctors around here. Sumedha Energy brought doctors to our doorsteps,” said Mr. Akpan John, a beneficiary of the programme. “They even gave drugs free of charge. That is the first time such a thing happened in this community.”
Economic empowerment has also featured prominently in the company’s development strategy. Youth and women’s cooperatives have received support in the form of fishing equipment, small grants, and training sessions on sustainable income generation.
“In the past, our women were only managing to survive,” said Mrs. Rebecca Ebong, a women’s leader in Elile. “But with the help we received, some now process and package seafood for sale in the city. Our youths too have been engaged and taken off the streets.”
What distinguishes Sumedha Energy’s approach, community members say, is its consultative method. The company engages local leaders, youth representatives, and women groups before embarking on any project. This inclusiveness has built trust and reduced conflicts that often characterise oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
According to the company’s Community Relations Manager, Sumedha Energy sees itself as a stakeholder in the development of its host communities—not just a corporate entity extracting resources.
“We believe development should be mutual. As we benefit from the resources in Eastern Obolo, we must also invest in its people. The road project was borne out of this philosophy. Our CSR is not a favour—it is a responsibility,” he said during the commissioning of the Elile-Amadaka-Kampa road.
He noted that the road construction was carried out with full community participation, ensuring that local contractors and workers were engaged, and traditional institutions respected.
The government has also acknowledged Sumedha Energy’s efforts. The Chairman of Eastern Obolo LGA, Rt. Hon. Samuel Nteogwuijah, praised the company’s interventions, noting that they align with the state’s vision for inclusive rural development.
“We welcome Sumedha Energy’s contributions. This road is not just a road; it is a foundation for development—education, commerce, and health will all thrive because of this. We call on other companies to emulate this model,” the chairman said.
He further hinted at a possible public-private partnership between the council and the company to further improve public infrastructure, including electrification and water projects.
Sumedha Energy is not resting on its laurels. According to company sources, plans are already in motion for a second phase of road projects to reach even more remote villages. The company is also exploring partnerships with vocational training centres to provide skills development for youths in oil-bearing communities.
Indeed, the road from neglect to development is still under construction in the larger context of Eastern Obolo. But with interventions like this, the tide is turning.
Across the communities, testimonials continue to pour in. For Pastor Isaac Etuk, the new road has made pastoral work less burdensome.
“I used to trek or paddle for hours to visit members of my church. Now, in 15 minutes, I can reach all my congregants. It may seem like just a road, but to us, it is deliverance,” he said.
Children, too, are excited. A group of students from Amadaka Primary School chorused, “We can go to school every day now. Our shoes are not muddy again!”
The story of Elile, Amadaka, and Kampa is not just a tale of road construction—it is a testament to what responsible corporate engagement can achieve in the Niger Delta. It underscores the need for synergy between communities, companies, and governments in addressing the developmental challenges of oil-producing areas.
Sumedha Energy has shown that infrastructure, when rightly deployed, can be a tool for inclusion and empowerment. As Akwa Ibom State continues its industrialisation drive, such models of community partnership will be essential in ensuring that no village, however remote, is left behind.
In the end, the tarred road may fade with time, but the journey it has sparked in education, health, and hope will travel far into the future.
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