EXCRUCIATING hunger is looming in oil-impacted communities of the Niger Delta region, a non-governmental organization, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has warned.
The national coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, who recently embarked on an environmental tour around some communities in Delta creeks, lamented that the spate of pollution has worsened and called on the Federal Government to commence immediate environmental remediation.
He noted that the harsh militarized approach to combating crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and illegal oil refining, which often culminates in the burning of local boats loaded with petroleum products and the littering of the waterways with the products, has proved to be ineffective and obsolete stemming the tide.
He opined that since the approach is doing more harm to the environment, nor the people than good, a better intellectual approach, orientation and integration are needed.
Mulade observed sadly that today, fish and other seafood are now being transported from Northern and Middle Belt of Nigeria to Ijaw riverine communities in Burutu, Bomadi, Warri and environs in Delta State and some communities in Bayelsa State.
He, therefore, warned that it was a sign of looming hunger in the region as the people who are known for having a decent source of livelihood from fishing have lost their pristine occupation due to environmental degradation orchestrated by oil exploration and overexposure of the aquatic life to poisonous petrochemical substances introduced into the waterways.
“The approach used by the Federal Government to fight against pipeline vandalism, local and illegal refining of petroleum products which is military destruction of illegal refineries and burning of boats loaded with illicitly acquired crude oil coupled with oil firm neglect of the environment have resulted in some of the Niger Delta environmental woes and and total destruction of aquatic lives, agriculture and trade.
“The reference point for Nigeria’s economic pride is the neglected Niger Delta that has made Nigeria earn as much as N7. 93 trillion ($26 billion) from oil export alone within six months and Nigeria has been ranked the six largest revenue earners country among the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
“It is painful that the area that feeds the nation is left to suffer and die in the polluted and ruined environment and without a means of creating jobs for themselves,” he lamented.
The foremost environmentalist insisted that the government and oil communities must plan for massive environmental remediation and also adopt bioremediation to clean up the oil spills.
He added that Niger Delta remains deprived, claiming it is not a beneficiary of the oil proceeds which they bear the consequences of health hazards, pollution and environmental degradation.
Comrade Mulade, therefore, called on the Federal Government and the multinational oil companies to synergize and remediate the environment and also adopt environmental best practices of safe oil activities.
He opined that, henceforth, the government must act fast to stop any form of introduction of petrochemical substances in the waters.
and then