FG reaffirms pledge to tackle oil communities’ ecological woes

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to resolving longstanding ecological challenges in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities, praising their vital role in the nation’s economy.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, gave the assurance at a meeting with a delegation of royal fathers from the Okpe Kingdom, led by the Orodje of Okpe, His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, Maj-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd), in Abuja, yesterday.

In a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations, Dewan Goshit, Akume acknowledged the environmental toll of decades of oil exploitation, including degradation, coastal and gully erosion, flooding and other issues.

“The government recognises the immense contributions of your great kingdom, the Okpe kingdom, to the economic development of this country. We want to thank you for protecting these oil wells and pipelines. These are great assets that contribute to our country’s economy. We thank you and your leadership for protecting these assets,” he stated.

The SGF outlined proactive measures, including collaboration between his office’s Ecological Project Office (EPO) and the Federal Ministry of Environment to craft targeted responses. He highlighted the Tinubu administration’s establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoniland to build expertise in tackling oil-related ecological problems. Akume also reminded oil companies of their statutory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations to host communities.

He commended the monarch’s distinguished military service and the Okpe Kingdom’s efforts at protecting critical infrastructure.

Earlier, the Orodje of Okpe urged federal intervention for shoreline protection, land reclamation and road improvements in Ugbokodo, an oil-producing area in Delta State’s Okpe Local Government Area. He lamented severe impacts from oil exploration and gas flaring, such as pollution, shoreline erosion, land loss and recurrent flooding from overflowing rivers, despite the community’s hosting of International Oil Companies (IOCs) and safeguarding national pipelines.