Communities of the Niger Delta region have renewed calls for an environmental audit to address the impact of decades of oil and gas pollution on the health and livelihoods of people of the region.
The communities also raised concerns of increase in strange deaths, health challenges and infertility among young people in the region.
The communities made the submissions at the second edition of the People’s Environmental Assembly, also known as Eco-Festival in Port Harcourt, organised by environmental advocacy body, We The People, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event which has its theme: “A Celebration of Culture, Resilience and Resistance” attracted participants from environmental bodies, environmental activists, civil society organizations, and oil and gas host communities from Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta States.
In his Address, Executive Director of We The People, Comrade Ken Henshaw, lamented that the decades of oil exploration and production has contributed to a persistent environmental crisis in the Niger Delta.
He stated that the aim of the Assembly is to draw attention to the environmental and social consequences of the over seven decades of oil exploration in the region.
Henshaw called for a comprehensive environmental audit to establish the extent of the damage, identify those responsible and determine the necessary steps towards remediation and ecological justice.
He pointed out that the Eco-Festival was intended to strengthen public engagement and collective action towards addressing environmental degradation in the region. Henshaw also expressed hope that subsequent editions would deepen accountability, adding that the ultimate goal is to secure justice for affected communities and restore the environment for present and future generations.
In their various testimonies, community representatives lamented that years of pollution had degraded their environment, affected fishing and farming, and reduced access to safe water and other natural resources.
They also raised concerns about unusual illnesses and deaths in their communities, calling for urgent investigations and environmental remediation.
Precious Ibegwura, from Erema Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government srea of Rivers State, said oil pollution had exposed residents to serious environmental and health challenges.
Ibegwura decried that the community had suffered extensive environmental degradation, leaving residents struggling to access safe food and a healthy environment.
“Our community today is nothing to write home about. Erema is now a community of tears. The oil companies have destroyed our land. They have left pollution everywhere.
“We have so many health challenges in our community now. Anyone we have that is 60 years, we call that person a living ancestor. It is the activities of the oil companies that have left us in this mess.
“We are speaking for justice, and we must get it. They must be made to pay for their wrongs. We must get justice,” she said.
Another participant, Mitema Suoye George, from Otuabagi Community in Bayelsa State, said pollution had affected fishing activities and raised concerns about the health of residents.
George recalled that the community previously enjoyed abundant fish stocks before oil exploration and related pollution became widespread.
“My mother told me that before they started oil exploration in Otuabagi, they were enjoying life and catching big fishes,” she said.
George further alleged that women in the community were experiencing early cessation of menstruation, adding that a study conducted by the KATBETKACHE Women Development Centre had reportedly identified cases of cancer among residents.
“We have been suffering. Women who are 35 can no longer see their menstruation again. From the report, it was shown that many women are down with cancer too. We want justice, and we must get justice,” she said.
Similarly, Warda Nebani Beryamon, a former youth leader in Ikarama Community, Bayelsa State, described the level of oil pollution in the area as alarming.
He stated that Ikarama had recorded numerous oil spills and expressed concern over reports of cancer and other health challenges among residents. “The level of pollution in Ikarama is bigger than what is happening in other communities. We have the issue of cancer in the community. We are the community with the highest number of oil spills in Nigeria,” he stated.
Also, Pastor Timothy Agumbiade, Executive Vice President of the Bille Kingdom Youth Federation in Degema local government area of Rivers State, lamented the gas emissions, reported deaths and the impact of pollution on residents of the community.
Agumbiade said Bille, which hosts two major oil fields, had experienced gas leaks from its waterways since October last year, prompting visits by government agencies and media organisations.
He, however, expressed concern that despite repeated visits and the collection of environmental samples, residents were yet to see tangible results that would address their concerns.
He said: “There was a joint visit to our kingdom by several government agencies. They took samples. They visited over 16 times. Even media houses have visited too. Bille has become a place of continuous visits. We are only calling for these visits to translate into results that will save the lives of our people.”
Agumbiade also recounted an explosion on July 3, which he said left a woman in distress. According to him, the woman was taken to a local hospital but died after the facility allegedly failed to provide the necessary care.
He said residents, including children, were facing difficult conditions, adding that he had personally experienced skin rashes and eye problems which he attributed to the gas emissions in Bille.
The youth leader further claimed that Bille Kingdom recorded seven deaths in September and four more in October, with most of the deceased reportedly below 60 years of age.
He called on relevant authorities and other stakeholders to intervene to protect residents and prevent further environmental and health concerns.