By Godwin Oritse

FOLLOWING the divestment by some major International Oil Company, OICs operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria,  a group, Connected Advocacy has expressed concern over  the level of environmental damage to the region with no visible solution to fixing the menace caused by the IOCs.

Speaking at Summit held in Agbarho Local Government of Delta State, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, Prince Israel Orekha said that after the recent COP28 conference, the imperative to ensure that local community voices are heard in oil divestment and environmental justice became more pronounced, due to the constant the neglect of community issues.

Orekha also said that environmental justice must take the center stage of all discussions saying that “We are the people that bear the brunt of the impact on environmental degradation and climate crisis”

He explained that , the devastating condition of  environment in the Niger-Delta area  underscore the urgent need for action, particularly  in communities that bear the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts adding that transitioning from fossil fuels and strengthening indigenous knowledge to bridge climate action gaps is urgently needed.

He said: “ After the recent COP28 conference, the imperative to ensure that local community voices are heard in oil divestment and environmental justice became more pronounced, due to the constant the neglect of local community issues at COP28, and other regional meetings, the devastating condition of our environment underscore the urgent need for action, particularly in regions like the Niger Delta, where communities bear the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts.

“ According to the Environmental Protection  Agency ,the current change in weather/atmosphere across the country is not harmful but rather an extreme form of air pollution with dire consequences on our health.

“Looking at the IOCs Divestment without visible decommissioning plans in play to pay compensations , our community will be left with stranded assets , stranded personnel and a stranded community ,the need for environmental accountability is imperative. We hope we can find ways to work together to create a more sustainable future for our planet.”

Similarly The event was packed with engaging conversations and dialogue from top notch speakers, Babawale Obayanju, Co-Director of ‘Tell that Story’ said that degradation of the environment by the IOCs is a enough  ground for the people of the affected area to  press environmental justice.

Also speaking, Mr. Mfon Gabriel, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center explained that the government and people of the Niger Delta must hold the IOC  accountable  divestment saga going on in Nigeria noting that it is  unethical and polluters must be made to pay for damage to the environment.