Local Communities Demand Environmental Accountability Ahead of COP29 in Nigeria’s Niger Delta

In a significant move towards environmental justice, local communities in Nigeria’s Niger Delta convened a dialogue in Bayelsa State on September 17, 2024, organized by Connected Advocacy.

The meeting aimed to address the pressing issues of environmental degradation caused by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and to push for a comprehensive environmental remediation strategy ahead of the upcoming COP29.

Community Voices United for Action

The dialogue brought together community leaders, environmental experts, and local stakeholders, highlighting the urgent need for accountability from IOCs amidst their ongoing divestment from the region. Mr. Israel Orekha, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, emphasized the importance of collective community action to tackle the dire environmental impacts of oil extraction. “It is imperative that we unite to demand justice, restoration, and sustainable development for our communities,” Orekha stated.

Participants discussed the detrimental effects of oil exploration, including health crises and economic instability. They underscored the necessity for a charter demanding environmental remediation as a prerequisite for divestment, asserting that “no remediation, no divestment” must be the guiding principle for IOCs.

Expert Insights on Regulatory Accountability

Legal expert Mr. Gabriel Mfon shed light on the existing regulatory frameworks intended to hold IOCs accountable for environmental harm. He advocated for enhanced transparency measures, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and stressed the importance of compliance with local laws such as the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulation of 2022.

Mfon warned of the consequences of unchecked divestment, noting that communities could be left to contend with persistent pollution and health crises without the necessary support for remediation. “We must ensure a comprehensive plan is in place to address the legacies of pollution,” he urged.

Community Leaders Voice Concerns

In supporting the dialogue, while giving their goodwill remarks, several community leaders expressed their frustrations and hopes.

Chief Digienini Kientei of Gbaran Community lamented the late awakening of his community to the realities of IOC operations, asserting the need for immediate accountability measures.

His Royal Highness, David Osene Osene, called for stronger government engagement to combat the long-term health impacts of pollution. Calling on the Executive Director of Connected Advocacy to increase and host similar engagements, he advocated for an engagement with the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to register the health implications and ecocide damages suffered.

Similar displeasure over the lack of proper forehand knowledge was also echoed as a challenge for participants, who collectively highlighted alarming health issues, including miscarriages and respiratory problems linked to oil activities.

Chief Mrs. Ayibakoro Warden and Chief Victoria Agbariso specifically shared harrowing accounts of the detrimental effects of oil pollution on their communities, further stressing the urgent need for healthcare investment.

Nothing that all the assertions made so far by he community leaders were germane, Joel John Ebi, stated it was important for more young people in the Niger Delta to go into research to determine the level of pollution both on land, water, human and livelihood sources in order to have evidence with which to present to the relevant IOCs and demand for compensations.

Conclusion: A Unified Call to Action

The event culminated in a collective demand to halt IOC divestment until a transparent and effective environmental remediation plan is established. Orekha reaffirmed Connected Advocacy’s commitment to support these communities in their quest for justice and restoration of their livelihoods.

As the Niger Delta prepares for COP29, the dialogue underscored the critical need for unified action among local communities to protect their environmental rights and foster a sustainable future. The next steps involve developing a comprehensive environmental remediation plan, strengthening legal frameworks, and empowering local youth to engage in advocacy and monitoring efforts.

The resilience of Niger Delta communities and their commitment to sustainability could serve as a model for environmental action on a global scale.

Prince Israel Orekha is the Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, a globally recognized sustainable development and environmental rights non-governmental organization.