Groups seek FG intervention over environmental degradation in Niger Delta

Center for Community Development and Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center has called for the intervention of the federal government in curbing environmental pollution and degradation in Niger-Delta

The groups made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Dr Chukwuemeka Woke, Director-General of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Friday in Abuja.

They alleged that some companies in the communities in Niger Delta were operating without NOSDRA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), leading to environmental degradation.

Mr Henry Eferegbo, Executive Director, OLEGH Center, particularly urged the government to take swift actions on critical issues affecting the lives and livelihoods of members of affected communities in the region

“The operations of Sterling Global in some communities in Rivers state around Emohua LGA, including Rumuakunde, Rumuewhor, Ubimini and part of Ogbakiri without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is leading to degradation in these environment.

“Some decommissioned wells of over 30 years in Otuabagi community are still leaking crude oil and contaminating land and water sources.

“In Ibaa community, crude oil is still in their water wells, which posed severe health risks, recent study in Otuabagi community in Bayelsa State also revealed crude oil in the blood of over 60 women, raising serious health concerns.

“We are therefore pleading with NOSDRA to remedy this situation and provide lasting solutions to save the lives of women who live in this locality,” he said.

Eferegbo called for a policy review for oil spill reporting and urged residents and indigenes of affected communities to participate in reporting suspected illegal activities, causing harm to humans.

Mrs Bridget Emem, the Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, said that illegal activities causing harm to communities in Niger Delta called for concerns.

Emem, who was represented by Mr Jacob Iniodu, the groups team lead, said that companies found guilty of illegal activities should be prosecuted and affected communities compensated.

“Issues in the Niger Delta region related to extractive industries and climate change being heightened by illegal operations of some companies causing extreme living conditions must be addressed quickly by the government.

“The government needs to investigate and address all harmful and illegal activities leading to environmental pollution in Niger delta and affecting the health of host communities” she said.

Dr Ifeoma Sam-Gabriel, a representative of Kebetkache, also said that it was pertinent for NOSDRA to address the environmental concerns in the Niger Delta.

“We are here to advocate for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations in Nigeria’s critical petroleum industry,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both groups appealed to the federal government for interventions in the area of healthcare, inclusion, and women empowerment.

On his part, NOSDRA Director-General, Chukwuemeka Woke, commended the groups for reporting rot of the alleged illegal activities in the Niger Delta region.

Woke gave the assurance that NOSDRA would act swiftly in investigating the issues and addressing areas of concern.

“The core mandate of NOSDRA is to implement the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) and to ensure that every spill in oil and gas is taken care of.

“We have acknowledged the concerns raised about the activities of Sterling Global, and the importance of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) could not be overemphasised,” he said.

Woke said that environmental restoration efforts were underway in the Ibaa community.

He said that Oil Field Assessment (OFA) and Special Duties (SD) Departments of NOSDRA had visited the place with plans geared towards environmental restoration.

He also said that NOSDRA Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Port Harcourt was actively participating in the certification of the remediation exercise in the community.

Woke, however, said that some issues raised were not strictly NOSDRA’s responsibilities, but as a government agency, it would address some issues and channel others to the appropriate authorities.

He said that NOSDRA would not favor any operator or company found guilty of illegal activities, and it would ensure stakeholders complied with Nigeria’s environmental laws in the petroleum industry.

Woke reiterated that the agency was ready to work with the groups and other concerned stakeholders to safeguard lives and ensure community health and environmental justice in Niger Delta.