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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Academics and environmental activists from the Niger Delta region have decried the continued environmental and oil pollution of the Niger Delta region.
They spoke at the inaugural edition of ‘The Oloibiri Conversations with the theme: Reassessing the environmental cos to theNiger Delta of oil and gas exploration in Nigeria: The Santa Barbara experience’ organised by the Institute of Niger Delta Studies (INDS), Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
The Chairman of the occasion and one time Commissioner for Environment in Bayelsa State, Mr Iniruo Wills called on governors of Niger Delta State to realised “our environment is of economic importance and a core of their governance mission.” ]
His address entitled ‘Ecocide in the Niger Delta: Wake Up. Niger Delta Governors and Leaders’ called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, his counterparts in Niger Delta Affairs, Okon Umana, , Environment, Moahammed Abdullahi, Niger Delta governors, NDDC MD to inaugurate a Niger Delta Cleanup programme starting a with a credible independent environmental assessment to commence before 31st March 2023.
Wills also advocated that Niger Delta leaders engage the four leading presidential candidates and ensure they publicly agree to enact a Niger Delta Cleanup programme as their inaugural commitment to the region.
He urged the people of the Niger Delta region to vote only for presidential, governorship, national and state houses of assembly candidates who demonstrate the will to take decisive action to stop oil pollution.
In his keynote address, Revd Nnimmo Bassey, Chief Executive Officer, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) said investigations revealed that 90% of sea-based environmental pollution in the Gulf of Guinea is traced to Nigerian waters.
Speaking on the November 2021 wellhead blowout at the Santa Barbara, Bassey argued that existing laws in Nigeria do not incorporate as assessment of human rights impacts of oil spills.
According to him, oil companies under report volumes of oil spill, while the region has been unduly militarised.
Also speaking King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama condemned the frequent pollution of the Niger Delta and continuous flaring of gas which has continued to have negative impact on the people.
The convener of the Conversation and Director of the INDS, Prof Solomon Ebobrah said the dialogue was organised to examine the negative impact of oil and gas exploration activities which have refused to disappear.
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