By Obiabin Onukwugha
Worried by the increasing environmental degradation caused by oil spillage in the Niger Delta region, an environmental advocacy body, tClimate Africa Media Initiative Center (CAMIC) called for oil spill in the region.
This comes as the orgganisation outlined key strategies to curbing, managing, and preventing future oil spills. These strategies, according to CAMIC, are designed to promote sustainable practices within the oil and gas industry while safeguarding the livelihoods of the communities.
CAMIC, which is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and combating climate change, made the submissions in a statement signed by its Chief Growth Officer Pius Alabi in Abuja on Tuesday.
It emphasised that the Niger Delta region, which is rich in biodiversity and home to millions of Nigerians, continues to face environmental devastation due to recurring oil spills from pipelines and oil exploration activities.
CAMIC noted the urgency of addressing these environmental challenges to mitigate the adverse effects on the ecosystem, health, and socio-economic stability of the communities.
It stated: “CAMIC calls for the enforcement of stricter regulations in the oil industry, ensuring that oil companies adhere to internationally recognized safety standards. This includes the regular inspection of pipelines, deployment of advanced monitoring technologies, and the imposition of substantial penalties for non-compliance.”
The body further recommended the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, such as satellite surveillance, drone monitoring, and real-time pipeline sensors. These innovations, according to CAMIC, can detect leaks early, enabling swift response and reducing the extent of environmental damage.
It also called for effective oil spill prevention and management, which requires collaboration between the government, oil companies, environmental experts, and local communities.
“CAMIC supports the empowerment of local communities by providing training on spill response, waste management, and environmental monitoring. This will create a network of local responders capable of quickly containing spills and preventing further damage to their environment.
“For areas already impacted by oil spills, CAMIC advocates for comprehensive restoration programs. These initiatives would include reforestation, soil remediation, and the rehabilitation of Aquatic ecosystems to restore biodiversity and improve the quality of life for affected communities,” the statement further read..
The body urged oil companies and regulatory bodies to maintain transparency in reporting spills and cleanup activities. It stressed that public access to data on oil spills and remediation efforts will foster accountability and ensure that companies are held responsible for their actions.
“The Climate Africa Media Initiative Center is committed to fostering awareness and driving action to protect the environment across Africa. By advocating for these preventive measures, CAMIC seeks to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Niger Delta region for future generations.
“CAMIC continues to call on all stakeholders, including government agencies, oil companies, civil society organizations, and local communities, to join hands in this crucial effort to protect the Niger Delta’s fragile ecosystem,” the statement added.