World Environment Day: Concern over pollution in Niger Delta

The continued concern about environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region has continued to attract comments as the 2019 World Environment Day is marked in Nigeria. Writes JOY EMMANUEL.

Each World Environment Day is organised around a theme that draws attention to a particularly pressing environmental concern all over the world. The theme for 2019 is ‘Air pollution’. It is remarkable for Nigeria in particular because of the necessity of the matter. This is because not only has the region been a hotbed of environment-related problem, its effect had in the past affected the country’s income. In many parts of the region, the entire eco system is damaged with attendant illnesses.

But how seriously do Nigerians work with the theme for an improved society, especially in the Niger Delta.

In Bayelsa state, for instance, no activity of any kind to mark or celebrate the day despite the place the state occupies in the region.

Worried by this, an environmentalist, Rev Nnimmo Bassey and Mr Alagoa Morris both frowned at the neglect of oil community environment by the respective Niger Delta governors.

The duo in separate interviews on the 2019 World Environmental Day (WED) noted that 13 per cent oil derivation funds to oil-producing states were being diverted by the governors without any corresponding values in the money released.

According to them, the funds meant toameliorate the adverse effect of oil exploration and production was being spent on frivolities to the detriment of the oil communities and the environment.

Bassey, who holds a national honour of the oOrder of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) said that governors of the Niger Delta states were not deploying the oil derivation revenue for the benefit of the environment and the people.

Bassey, who is also founder/executive director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, noted that if the funds allocated to the region were judiciously used, the region would have regenerated, returned or according to them, at least, began to return to its historical biodiversity.

“The squandering or wastage of resources is a self-inflicted injury because it allows oil companies and other exploiters to act irresponsibly seeing that leaders do not have the moral grounds to demand good behaviour.

“As we mark this year’s World Environment Day 2019 focusing on kicking out pollution, we need to look at our faces in the ecological mirror and declare truthfully what we see.

“How can we have such a blanketing a city like Port Harcourt for years and yet we behave as though everything is alright?

“How can it be justified that the region that produces the wealth of the nation is one of the top 10 most polluted places on earth and also one with extremely low life expectancy?

“With gas flares eating up our people, destroying agriculture and the general environment, we should hang our heads in shame. There is no life and no enjoyment of rights in the midst of pollution,” Bassey said.

For Morris, the 2019 World Environment Day focusing on air pollution and hosted by China draws attention to the unrestrained gas flaring at oil field within the Niger Delta region with massive release of greenhouse gases that trigger climate change.

He regretted that individuals, families, religious bodies, corporate entities, NGOs and governments all have roles to play in preserving the ecosystem but noted that unfortunately, the stakeholders were failing in the responsibility to the environment.

According to him, “Nigerians merely pay lip service on this day without meditating on how to follow up with implementable policies to achieve desired results in the common interest.

Morris, head of Field Operations at Environment Rights Action, noted that over the years, “There has not been any policy formulation or implementation relating to past World Environment Day theme or focus.

“World Environment Days are carefully selected to address critical world issues and they may not be easily repeated.

“Incidentally, while the advanced societies are making progress in relation to these environmental challenges, we in this clime are more interested in formalities, speaking grammar just to pass the day. This is very unfortunate and sad

“Last year’s theme was ‘Beat Plastic’ but if, as we are to mark this year’s theme which has to do with air pollution, you ask the Bayelsa state government, for instance, what has been done to beat plastic? I am certain there would be no positive response.

“That is the show the extent to which our people and governments are so unserious about environmental issues.

“The authorities in Bayelsa would tell you about how unique the Bayelsa environment is, but there have been no corresponding efforts to contain the flood and erosion threatening our communities every now and then.

“Ordinarily, the unique Delta terrain Bayelsa occupies ought to compel a flood and erosion commission to be established,” Alagoa said.

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