A community dialogue organised by Connected Advocacy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, brought together community leaders, environmental experts, and local stakeholders to discuss the ongoing environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, particularly in relation to divestment by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the urgent need for environmental remediation.
The event, which focused on amplifying local voices and advocating for sustainable climate adaptation solutions, addressed critical issues including the health, environmental, and economic impact of oil exploration and extraction in the Niger Delta.
It also emphasised the need for wholistic community involvement in global climate action decision, and robust regulatory frameworks to hold IOCs accountable for decades of environmental damage before divestment which participants said informed the need for compensation and remediation of degraded environment.
Led by Mr. Israel Orekha, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, the opening session focused on the importance of uniting communities for a sustainable future as they express their concerns of neglect. Mr. Orekha stressed the need for collective action to address the pressing environmental issues faced by Niger Delta communities.
He highlighted the key pillars of the dialogue to include:
• Community organising for impact
• Local Climate Action, what the community can do
• Environmental demand charter and what it will achieve
• Strategy to hold International Cooperation without violence.
Orekha discussed the harmful impacts of IOC divestment on the local communities, emphasising that oil companies must be held accountable for their activities.
He called for immediate action to remediate polluted lands and waterways and urged the communities to stand together in demanding justice, restoration, and long-term sustainable development.
He reiterated that strengthening community resilience through collaboration for local solution to achieve a future of hope and sustainable growth they want is imperative.
Orekha said: “The Niger Delta is a region of immense beauty, resilience, and cultural richness. It is time to restore its health and ensure a just and sustainable future for its communities.
“The region has suffered from the impact of oil exploration and exploitation; oil has become more of a cause then a blessing to our people. A need to demand for technology transfers, local green investment, true transition from the fossil fuel to renewables, our leaders should priorities people over profit as IOCs divestment from our region after decades of profit making without proper financial compensation, and environmental remediation.
“Our government should use this window of opportunity to demand for debt cancelation to save our natural resources from being used as a medium to service loans that further impoverish us and make us continue to remain at the mercy of the West.”
Mr. Gabriel Mfon, an expert on environmental law and policy, delivered a compelling session on environmental accountability. He detailed the regulatory framework that should be applied to hold oil companies accountable for the environmental damages in the Niger Delta.
Mr. Mfon addressed how transparency and accountability reforms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can promote greater oversight of the extractive sector.
He outlined the various Nigerian legal frameworks governing environmental health and safety to include: Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulation 2022, Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations 1969, NESREA Act 2007 and NOSDRA Act 2004.
He highlighted the alarming consequences of IOC divestment without proper remediation, warning that local communities may be left grappling with ongoing pollution and health crises. Furthermore, he warned that indigenous oil companies may lack the financial and technical resources to address the massive environmental problems inherited from the departing IOCs.
Mfon called for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that IOCs are held responsible for cleaning up polluted sites and providing necessary compensations before their exit.
“We must ensure a comprehensive plan is in place to address the legacies of pollution and safeguard the future of the Niger Delta communities,” he urged.
Several community leaders and participants expressed concerns and hopes during the dialogue.
Chief Digienini Kientei of Gbaran Community expressed regret that communities were only now learning about the true impact of IOCs divestment and how to engage in global climate action dialogue. He thanked the organisers for raising awareness and called for immediate action to hold oil companies accountable.
“This knowledge has opened our eyes to the danger ahead, and we will take steps to ensure IOCs face their responsibilities,” he said.
His Royal Highness, David Osene Osene, underlined the urgent need for environmental and health remediation, lamenting the long-term effects of pollution on his community.
He advocated for stronger engagement with government agencies and legislative bodies to address the crisis.
“We must engage the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to register the health implications and the ecocide damages we have suffered,” he stated.
Chief Mrs. Ayibakoro Warden from Ikarama Community spoke about the adverse health effects linked to oil pollution, including a high rate of miscarriages and respiratory issues. She condemned the oil companies for not investing in local healthcare infrastructure to address these challenges.
Chief Victoria Agbariso from Biseni Community recounted how oil drilling operations had brought a wave of health crises to her people, including asthma and chronic respiratory problems.
“We were living healthily until the drilling started,” she said, calling for more information and action on the health impacts of oil pollution.
Mr. Joel John Ebi, a youth advocate, urged more young people in the Niger Delta to engage in research on pollution levels in the region. He stressed the need for evidence-based advocacy to hold IOCs accountable and secure compensations for affected communities.
The event concluded with a call to halt IOC divestment until a clear, accountable, and comprehensive environmental remediation plan is in place.
Mr. Orekha emphasised that Connected Advocacy would continue to support communities in their fight for justice and environmental restoration but urged the communities to take an active role in using the knowledge gained to demand adequate compensation and restoration of their land and livelihoods.
The dialogue underscored the necessity of a unified response from Niger Delta communities and their leaders to ensure that their voices are heard, and their environmental rights are protected.
It is believed that, through collective action and continuous engagement, the region can begin the long process of healing and transitioning towards a sustainable and equitable future.
The event also featured participants from Rivers, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom states.
