By Obiabin Onukwugha
Environmental experts have raised concern over impending fish and food scarcity in the Niger Delta, owing to environmental pollution caused by oil spills and gas flaring, sea piracy and insecurity.
AIbom Oil Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON), and the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), gave the warning during the public presentation and launch of the book, titled “State Security Management, Hydrocarbon Pollution, Environment and Implications on Human Rights in Nigeria”, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend.
In his presentation, Founder and President of AKIPON, Ufot Phenson stated that gas flaring and incessant oil spills have forced many fisherfolks to abandon the fishing occupation, as the water bodies and aquatic life have been disrupted by oil and gas leaks.
Ufot warned that the unchecked pollution including the most recent in Ibeno Local government area of the state, would worsen the food crisis that locals are already facing and force many into crime.
He faulted the government for not doing enough to ensure the protection of the environment and the livelihoods of the common people, as oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta have been subjected to high levels of poverty, without the required infrastructural development.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) Barrister Chima Williams described the book as timely, saying it captures in clear and understandable language, the situation in most communities in the Niger Delta where oil is mined.
Williams stressed that the insecurity in the Niger Delta is fueled by the pollutions and neglect of the host communities and their frustrations as producers of the golden egg but have nothing to show for it
The EDEN Executive Director opined that the solution to the environment crisis in Akwa Ibom, like much of the Niger Delta must start with a comprehensive environmental audit to determine the amount of destruction of the ecosystem to be able to come up with holistic solutions.
He described the author of the book as eminently qualified to x-ray the issues bedeviling the Niger Delta oil belt and proffer solutions as one who has traversed the public service and now engaging with the impacted peoples at the grassroots.
He expressed the willingness of EDEN to work with AKIPCON to continue to document oil impacts and challenge the relevant state institutions to take action to remediate the environment and hold its destructors to account.
Meanwhile, Williams was honoured by AKIPON with an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exemplary leadership role in environment justice and human rights in the society.
The event attracted civil society activists, traditional rulers, researchers, the media, and members of AKIPCON from the 31 local government area of the state.