In a bid to check environmental pollution, the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) has embarked on an interactive session with the community leaders across the eight local government areas of the state.
Dr. Kathryn Nwajiaku Dahou, Team Leader of the Commission while speaking at “LGA Stakeholders Forum” in Ogbia local government area, said the interactive session was to gather reports on the impact of oil pollutions on the people.
Dahou, who is also the Secretary of the Commission, explained that the move was at unraveling the circumstances surrounding oil spillages and other activities of multinational companies in the state and Niger-Delta.
“The interactive session will be held with the chairmen of local council areas, councilors, community development leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders in various area councils of Bayelsa.
“We urge you to assist the Commission in the fact-finding mission in the state,” the Secretary stated.
The State Oil and Environmental Commission was inaugurated by Governor Seriake Dickson on March 27, 2019, to investigate the impact of oil spill in the state.
Dahou stated the need to address the menace of oil pollution and urged the people to open up and give the Commission the correct information in order to tackle the environmental degradation.
Mr. Dennis Adogu, a Chief in Oloibiri Community where the first Nigeria oil well was found in 1956 said the negative impact of the oil exploitation in the area was worrisome to the people.
“The waterways have been damaged and we do not have sources of water. No road and the farmlands are destroyed. We appeal on the federal government to come to our aid,” he said.
On his part, Mr. Confidence Moses, Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC) decried the health and environmental challenges caused by oil pollution and urged the Commission to make good use of their findings.
“We suffer from air pollution. Look at our roofs, damaged. The sources of water have been polluted,” Moses lamented.
