By Grace Samuel
Renowned environmental activist and executive director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, has raised an urgent call for immediate action to address the catastrophic environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the School of Ecology held at the Niger Delta University in Amasoma recently, Bassey highlighted the severe ecological damage inflicted on the region by international oil companies.
He described the Niger Delta as a “privatized zone” used for toxic waste dumping, oil spills, gas flaring, and produced water disposal.
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“The privatization of the region began in 1956 with the first commercially viable oil well and has continued unabated,” Bassey stated.
“The creeks, streams, rivers, and swamps have been transformed into waste dumps, serving only the private interests of polluting corporations.”
Bassey referenced the 2011 UNEP report on the assessment of the Ogoni environment and the 2023 Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) report, which both attest to the region’s widespread devastation.
He emphasized the need for collective action to address the environmental degradation, stating, “The Niger Delta environment is in shambles, and it’s imperative we take urgent steps to restore and preserve it for future generations.”
The event, attended by environmentalists, scholars, and community leaders, aimed to raise awareness about the ecological crisis in the Niger Delta and explore solutions to mitigate the damage.
