The need for the enforcement of already existing policies in relation to the impact of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general has again been stressed.
This is because lack of political will on the part of Nigerian leaders to implement relevant laws has been an impediment in the fight against abnormalities associated with oil explorations in the Niger Delta region.
In a communique at the end of a one-day roundtable organised by ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) in Asaba, Delta State, the stakeholders, in a communique, took a swipe at gas flaring, waste from water channels and the issue of deforestation, bemoaning that existing policies on climate and environmental change are not implemented.
The communique was signed by Mr Andrew Mamedu, County Director, ActionAid Nigeria; Ms Sonia Elohor Somuvie, representative of vice chairman, Senate Committee on Environment; Senator Ned Nwoko; Dr Chidi Nwankpa,representative of the chairman, House Committee on Climate Change and Honourable Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, representative of the chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta; representatives of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER); Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), as well as various communities.
The stakeholders, including representatives from the National Assembly, media, representatives of host communities, civil society organisations and representatives of traditional rulers, blamed western banks for funding the activities of multi-national oil companies for oil exploration in the Niger Delta region, thus, intensifying the environmental degradation.
They also condemned community leaders for compromising as a result of poverty as well as the divide and rule strategy used by the oil companies.
The communique called for ways out in the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy and, penalty for oil companies embarking on gas flaring, adding that all multi-national companies must, as a necessity, have a carbon gas desk.
It advocated for a proper cleanup of areas affected by the effect of the oil spillages in the Niger Delta region, to foster good operational relationship among community members and leaders, oil companies and the government.
The stakeholders recommended among others that: “the House of Representative Committee on Climate Change should establish a desk office with the host communities for ease of complaints.
“The committee of Niger Delta Affairs should establish a local committee for the coalition of host community complaints as well as rejigging the existing policies on climate and environmental change.”
The participants advised that the government should be given conditions on accessing the global funds for environmental issues as well as
facilitating conversation among key stakeholders as affected by the oil exploration in the Niger Delta communities.
While stressing the importance of strong synergy in the fight for climate and environmental justice in the Niger Delta region, the communique urged
host communities to start taking advantage of the laws guiding multi-nationals so as to start using it for their advantage.
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