From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), an NGO, has advocated the need for strict sanctions against oil companies indulging in gas flaring within the Niger Delta region.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting on the negative impact of oil exploration held in Asaba, Delta State.
The meeting was attended by representatives of civil society groups, host communities, government and the media.
The communique which signed by Country Director of Action Aid in Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, among other signatories observed with dismay the negative implications of western banks funding the activities of multi-national oil companies for oil exploration in the Niger Delta thus intensifying the incidence of environmental degradation.
It noted that community leaders have been compromised due to poverty as well as the divide and rule tactic adopted by the multi-national oil companies in dealing with host communities.
“The Shell Live Wire programme has compromised community leaders’ integrity by the divide and rule strategy and this is a great disservice to the development of the communities.
“Also, lack of political will on the part of our leaders to implement relevant laws has been an impediment in the fight against abnormalities associated with oil explorations in the Niger Delta.
“Emphasis here is on gas flaring, while there is the waste from the water channels and also the issue of deforestation. Regretably, existing policies on climate and environmental change are not implemented,” the communique stated.
It however recommended enforcement of already existing policies in relation to the impact of gas flaring in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
Calling for proper cleanup of the areas affected by oil spillages while fostering good operational relationship that is open to all stakeholders, the meeting advocated the mapping out of ways for transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, stressing that multi-national companies must as a necessity have a carbon gas desk.
They also recommended that host communities and individuals affected by oil exploration should have an understanding of the PIA, and called on the National Assembly House Committee on Climate Change to establish a desk office with the host communities for ease of complaints.
The meeting also called on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to establish a local committee for the coalition of host community complaints and a review of existing policies on climate and environmental change.
Participants at the meeting also advised that the Nigerian Government should be given conditions before accessing the global funds for environmental issues.
They pointed out that facilitating conversation amongst key stakeholders as affected by the oil exploration in the Niger Delta communities was very important and necessary.
Others who signed the communique were Ms Sonia Somuvie, who represented Senate Committee Vice Chairman on Environment, Ned Nwoko; Dr. Chidi Nwankpa, representative of the chairman, House Committee on Climate Change; and Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, representative of the Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta.
Also listed as signatories were, Mr. David Kenoye Eze, Clerk of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta; Barr. Oyorokoto Ogheneruemu; Barr. Frank Tietie, Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), Abuja, among others