Niger Delta Governor Accuses Oil Firms Of Environmental Pollution

Niger Delta Governor Accuses Oil Firms Of Environmental Pollution....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has pointed fingers at oil companies for the environmental degradation witnessed in the Niger Delta. He emphasized the destructive impact of crude oil and gas exploration and production on the region’s flora and fauna due to inadequate environmental safeguards.

Speaking at the Annual Convention and Fundraising of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) of the Americas in Houston, Texas, USA, over the weekend, Governor Diri urged Bayelsa State natives in the diaspora to rally behind government initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges and other issues in the state.

Addressing the event’s theme of “Ijaw Nation: Nurturing Partnership through Symbiotic Relationships Towards Homeland, Social, and Economic Development,” Governor Diri called for oil and gas companies divesting from the state to prioritize investments in environmental restoration efforts.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri highlighted the severe pollution in Bayelsa State, partly attributed to illegal refining activities. He stressed the need for collective action, with both the government and citizens working together to combat this menace.

President Bola Tinubu affirmed his commitment to supporting Nigerians in the diaspora, including the Ijaw community, underscoring the crucial role of oil in the nation’s economy and the imperative of cooperation between the government and all stakeholders.

INC President General Prof. Benjamin Okaba expressed dismay over the persistent impoverishment of the Ijaw people despite their abundant human and natural resources. He lamented the lack of adequate remediation and compensation for environmental degradation caused by oil and gas exploitation in the region.

The governor’s remarks underscore a growing concern over the environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the Niger Delta, emphasizing the urgent need for concerted efforts to address these issues and foster sustainable development in the region.

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