A group, Connected Advocacy, has expressed concern over the level of environmental damage to the region with no visible solution to fixing the menace caused by the International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
Speaking at a Summit held in Agbarho Local Government of Delta State, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, Prince Israel Orekha said after the recent COP28 conference, the imperative to ensure that local community voices are heard in oil divestment and environmental justice became more pronounced, due to the constant neglect of community issues.
He explained that , the devastating condition of environment in the Niger-Delta area underscore the urgent need for action, particularly in communities that bear the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts adding that transitioning from fossil fuels and strengthening indigenous knowledge to bridge climate action gaps is urgently needed.
Orekha also said that environmental justice must take the center stage of all discussions saying that “We are the people that bear the brunt of the impact on environmental degradation and climate crisis”
He said due to the neglect of local communities’ issues as it happened at COP28 and other regional meetings, the “devastating condition of our environment underscore the urgent need for action, particularly in regions like the Niger Delta, where communities bear the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts”.
He made reference to the Environmental Protection Agency in its recent report where it said “the current change in weather/atmosphere across the country is not harmful but rather an extreme form of air pollution with dire consequences on our health.
“Looking at the IOCs Divestment without visible decommissioning plans in play to pay compensations, our communities will be left with stranded assets, stranded personnel and a stranded community, the need for environmental accountability is imperative. We hope we can find ways to work together to create a more sustainable future for our planet.”
Also speaking, Mr. Mfon Gabriel, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center explained that the government and people of the Niger Delta must hold the IOC accountable divestment saga going on in Nigeria noting that it is unethical and polluters must be made to pay for damage to the environment.