Environmental activists from the Niger Delta region recently joined forces in a two-day workshop in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by oil-producing communities and finding common solutions for sustainable development. The workshop, titled ‘No Restoration, No Divestment,’ brought together representatives from various communities, including Akamkpa, Biase, Mbo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Eket, and Ibeno.
During the workshop, Ken Henshew, the Executive Director of We The People (WTP), emphasized the significance of using natural resources sustainably. He pointed out that while these resources could be a blessing, their abuse often led to conflicts, inequalities, and economic instability in communities. Additionally, infringement on communities’ rights was a concern.
Dr. Moses Abang, an environmentalist from Cross River State, shed light on the major challenges faced by host communities, including low literacy levels, poverty, oil pollution, and inadequate infrastructure. He also highlighted how extraction activities had contributed to conflicts and insecurities, leading to substantial financial losses for the country.
Furthermore, Dr. Abang expressed the detrimental impact of extraction on communities, causing loss of lives, fading livelihoods, and erosion of ancestral heritage, with little support from the government.
Dr. Breye Briggs, a medical practitioner based in River State, stressed the importance of extractive companies conducting environmental impact health assessments in host communities to understand potential hazards resulting from their operations.
Barr. Courage Nsiriovu, a legal practitioner from River State, advised community representatives on various laws that could be employed to seek redress for their plight when necessary.
Hon. Eferegbo, a member of the River State House of Assembly, shared strategies to achieve a common solution. He emphasized the need to collaborate with like-minded stakeholders and influential individuals who believed in the process to accomplish their goals.
The workshop served as an essential platform for activists and community representatives to come together, share insights, and work towards a sustainable future for the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region. By addressing the challenges caused by extraction and promoting responsible resource management, these efforts aim to uplift the livelihoods of communities and protect their environment for generations to come.
