Social Development Integrated Centre popularly known as Social Action Today May 2,2019 organized The Nigeria Resource Justice Conference with the theme “PETROLEUM AND COMMUNITIES IN NIGER DELTA :SETTINGS THE POLICY AGENDA FOLLOWING TWO DECADES OF CIVIL RULE”.
In his opening speech, Ken Henshaw a social commentator stated that the conference will exploit how well petroleum industry have done in relationship to their host communities.
In his welcome address, Dr. Isaac Osuoka the Executive Director of Social Action, said ” twenty years ago,as Nigeria are transiting from military dictatorship to civilian rule, the most pressing challenges for the new administration was the ecological, human rights and livelihood crises in the oil bearing Niger Delta region of the country.
He explained that the members of communities in Niger Delta region have borne negative impacts of petroleum extraction.
According to Social Action Executive Director, the oil companies operating in the area have historically operated most recklessly.
Dr. Osuoka revealed that oil companies spilled more crude oil into the natural environment and flared more associated gas in Niger Delta region than in any other part of the world resulting in destruction and degradation of fishing and farming livelihood and increase in diseases and deaths .
He noted that all over Niger Delta region, communities have suffered different forms of human rights abuses and killings because of petroleum.
He stated that Nigeria Resource Justice Conference provides a platform for interaction among community members and leaders, citizens group, scholars, Government agencies and elected representatives.
In her own remarks, the representative of Development and Peace, Genevieve Talbot said ” this kind of event which brings together community people, policy makers and academe to discuss issues that are having impact on the people is what her organization stands for “
Also speaking the Commissioner of Environment in Rivers state, Professor Roseline Konya who was represented by Emmanuel Urang, the permanent secretary in the ministry maintained that the Government of the state is doing everything possible to curtail environmental pollution especially appearance of black soot in the air .
The chairman of the occasion, Professor Julie Omuokoro while delivering her speech urged everybody to make protection and preservation of the environment their business.
The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Professor Nelson braimbraifa who was represented by his technical assistant Celestine Akpobari urged citizens not to engage in activities that will degrade the environment.
He also urged the Government to provide more funding to NDDC for more intervention projects
On his part the Royal father of the day, Leslie Eke, Eze Oha Evo 111 of Evo Kingdom maintained that so many Government interventions is not working. He said “the issue of environmental pollution have continued because some of the leaders responsible to solve this issues are neither well informed nor well educated”
The zonal Director of NOSRA who was represented by Dr. Kenneth Aroh hinted that all the agency does, is to take all legal means to ensure that all oil spill sites are cleaned.
In his own contribution, leader of Chicoco movement 87 years old comrade Che Ibegwura stated that Youths of Niger Delta should be prepared to liberate the region.
He said ” if you do not conquer fear and poverty ,you cannot achieve freedom “.
Highlights of the event was setting up of two different panels consisting of experts, activists, agencies and victims of environmental pollution from different communities to discuss the environmental injustice in some communities in Niger Delta with particular reference to Umuechem and Ogoni communities and also entertaining of questions from the audience
Our reporter reports that the venue of the event at presidential hotel was filled to its capacity.