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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
An advocacy group, We the People, has called for immediate environmental and health remediation for Niger Delta communities impacted by gas flaring.
Executive Director of the group, Mr Ken Henshaw, made the call in Port Harcourt during the preview of a documentary on gas flaring and methane emissions, co-produced by Policy Alert and We the People as part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day.
He called for urgent action to end routine gas flaring and address its devastating consequences on host communities.
He said communities have lived for decades beside flare stacks located near homes, schools, farms and rivers.
“The Niger Delta remains one of the most resource-rich regions in the world, yet one of the most burdened by environmental degradation,” he said.
According to him, gas flaring has caused respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, declining agricultural productivity, acid rain and ecosystem destruction.
He stressed that sustainable development requires more than declarations.
“We demand an immediate end to routine gas flaring and full environmental and health remediation funded by responsible operators, past and present,” he stated.
Other demands include transparent gas flare data and stronger community participation in environmental governance.
“The time for excuses has passed. The time for accountability, remediation and environmental justice is now,” Henshaw added.
