Environmental degradation: Wike decries FG’s neglect of Niger Delta

Speaking yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Environment, Mr Suleiman Hassan Zarma at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Governor said that environmental degradation caused by oil exploration is worse than insurgency.

He said: “While we support the fight against insurgency, nothing is worse than environmental pollution. We suffer because we are allowing Nigeria to survive. We are suffering for Nigeria to survive. It is through our oil that Nigeria is surviving.”

“We are dying because we are keeping the country alive.  Nobody wants to give us the attention required. These people who are suffering because of the nation’s survival, why not give them priority to survive? “

He urged the Federal Government to withdraw funds from the Excess Crude Account to address the environmental challenges in Ogoni-land saying it should be done in same manner that funds were withdrawn to tackle insurgency.

“They took $1billion from the Excess Crude Accounts to fight insurgency. I say they should take $500million from the Excess Crude Accounts for the Ogoni Clean up Exercise.” Wike urged.

He assured the Federal Ministry of Environment of the support of the Rivers State Government to achieve the goals of remediation of the Ogoni environment.

“If you had told me earlier that you were coming, I would have provided a helicopter for you to fly over Ogoni land.  You will weep at the level of environmental damage,” the governor added.

He regretted that the Ogoni Clean up Exercise has been politicised, pointing out that the Ministry of Environment is handing over sites to contractors three years after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flagged off the exercise. He said the two activities took place as elections approached.

“Three years ago, the President represented by the Vice President flagged off the clean up during the rerun elections. One month to the general elections, the Minister of Environment has come to hand over the sites.

“If I tell you I believe sincerely that you people want to clean up Ogoni land, I am telling you lies. Surprise me and prove me wrong,” the governor challenged.

He called on the Minister of Environment to investigate cases of deduction of funds from contracts awarded for the clean up exercise and charged the Ministry to ensure that benefiting communities are patronized during the clean up and all approved steps taken by Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

In his remarks, the Minister of Environment, Mr Suleiman Hassan Zarma assured that the Ministry working with HYPREP will ensure that the clean up of Ogoni land is carried out. He said that the Ministry will take deliberate steps to address the concerns raised by the Rivers State Governor.

“We are here to set the tone to enable the foundation laying of a robust inter-governmental collaboration which you have been doing especially in the environmental sector,” Zarma assured.

He informed the Rivers State Governor that he was in the state to commence the hand over of sites for the commencement of the clean up exercise.