By Obiabin Onukwugha
A civil society organization, Access Africa has highlighted the progress recorded in its one-year intervention aimed at addressing the environmental and health impacts of pollution in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale communities in Eleme local government overnment area of Rivers State.
The organisation brought together community members, government ministries, civil society groups, the media and development partners at a Lesson Learned Workshop and Sustainable Project Presentation held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Skyloft Hotel and Resort, Aleto, Eleme.
The project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on constructive interventions to mitigate the negative impacts associated with urea production and chemical pollution in the affected communities.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Access Africa, Dr. David Vareba, said the workshop was designed to assess the successes and shortcomings of the project and turn the experience into practical lessons for future interventions.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for the project team, stakeholders and beneficiary communities to jointly evaluate what worked, what did not work and how future projects could be improved.
He said the organisation would document the experiences and lessons from the project “in order to formulate practical, forward-looking steps and standards that will enhance community growth and continuous improvement.”
Representatives of the Rivers State Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Health, which served on the Project Management Committee, commended Access Africa for the manner in which the project was implemented.
They also expressed appreciation to the National Coordinator of the GEF SGP UNDP, Dr. Ibironke Olubamise, for approving the project and supporting its implementation.
The representatives said the project had produced measurable outcomes in the communities and demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government, communities, civil society organisations and development partners.
Presenting the project’s monitoring and evaluation report, consultant Mr. Kingsley Ozegbe said one of the notable achievements was the improvement in farmers’ understanding of soil health.
He explained that farmers had been trained to use the pH scale to determine the condition of their soil and apply natural lime where necessary to improve soil conditions and support the growth of local crops.
Ozegbe also noted a significant change in the way the communities approached environmental concerns.
He said the project had helped shift the communities’ approach from confrontation and violent protests to constructive engagement and dialogue with polluters and other stakeholders.
According to him, community members now have a better understanding of the condition of their soil, water, air and crops, as well as the potential health implications of chemical pollution identified through the project’s baseline study.
“The communities have however resolved to toe the path of constructive dialogue with the polluters, rather than using force or embarking on violence,” he said.
The impact of the project was also reflected in emotional testimonies from residents of Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale.
Community leaders, women, men and youths shared their experiences of how the intervention had improved their understanding of environmental pollution, farming practices and community engagement.
They appealed to the GEF SGP UNDP to consider further funding for Access Africa to replicate the project in other Eleme communities.
The residents also called for stronger support for the Community Vanguard for Anti-Pollution (COVAP), improved training and innovation in crop production, phytoremediation initiatives, and the formation of cooperatives and social enterprises to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods, particularly those of women.
A major highlight of the workshop was the launch of a 463-page publication titled Baseline Study on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Urea Production in Eleme Communities, Rivers State, Nigeria.
The study assessed the extent of environmental contamination and human exposure to hazardous substances in Aleto, Akpajo and Ogale, providing a baseline for future monitoring, advocacy and remediation efforts.
The study examined surface water, soil, sediment, ambient air, noise levels and locally consumed food crops, particularly cassava. It also involved human biomonitoring through blood sample analysis and a review of health records to determine whether environmental contamination was translating into direct exposure and health risks.
According to the organisers, laboratory analyses were conducted in accordance with internationally recognised standards, including those of the World Health Organisation, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
Ethical safeguards, informed consent and community participation were also incorporated into the research process.
Responding to the presentations and testimonies, the National Coordinator of GEF SGP UNDP, Dr. Ibironke Olubamise, commended Access Africa for its commitment and resilience throughout the project cycle.
Olubamise said the organisation had demonstrated “meticulous project implementation” and effective collaboration with government ministries and the beneficiary communities.
She noted that the testimonies from community members, together with the findings contained in the baseline report, provided evidence of the project’s impact.
“The testimonies and the baseline report speak for themselves,” she said.
Olubamise assured Access Africa that she would remain in contact with the organisation and indicated that there could be opportunities for further support in the future.
For the communities, the workshop marked more than the end of a one-year project. It also signalled a growing determination to combine scientific knowledge, community monitoring and peaceful engagement in the fight against environmental pollution and its impact on livelihoods and health.
