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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Following the rising cases of oil spills and its effects on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region and their environment, a non-governmental organisation, the Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), has promised that it would facilitate the sending of petitions by children of the region to the embassies of foreign oil exploitation and exploration companies in Nigeria, to seek an end to the menace of spills.
Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, made this known at a two day programme, tagged: ‘Child Safeguarding Policy Development Forum’ organized by the NGO in partnership with the Bayelsa State ministries of Education, Environment and Health as well as the Catholic Education Board and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
He noted that the adverse effect of oil spills in the Niger Delta region with its militating effects cannot be over-emphasised, noting that children are the worst affected by the oil spills.
Ozegbe identified vandalism as a major cause of oil spillage, adding that equipment failure on the part of oil majors cannot also be over ruled.
He described poverty as another contributing factor to vandalism and oil-related environmental hazards.
Our correspondent gathered that the ‘Child Safeguarding Policy Development Forum’ was rounded off on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Also, chairperson of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Bayelsa State chapter, Dr Christiana MacDonald, who doubles as chairman of SACA’s project management committee (PMC), represented by the secretary of NAPPS, Mr Ugosough Richard, thanked the NGO for the partnership, noting that it would yield the expected results.
Bayelsa State commissioner for Environment, Gbaranbiri Iselema, represented by the director, Climate Change at the ministry, Mr Wakedei Ere, promised that government would continue partnering the NGO, assuring that government was desirous of achieving an environment, free from hazards and oil spills.
Highlights of the event were seminar lectures, such as ‘Understanding Child Safeguarding’ delivered by Mr Okusaga Raphael, child safeguarding officer, St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, West Africa and others by representatives of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Wilcox Izibeya, Mr Jeremiah Dangana, assistant director Pollution, Ministry of Environment.
The trio identified child abuse and neglect as key factors which expose children to environmental pollution caused by oil spills.
Dr Wilcox who also consults for the SACA stated that medical investigations carried out by the NGO in a recent study of oil spill affected communities in the state revealed that the rate of ailments have been on the increase since the spill occurred, in comparison to their health status before the spills.
Wilcox stated that abnormalities and diseases associated with oil spill, apart from the discovered increase of no fewer than 38% neonatal mortality rate, include chest infections, slurred speech, headaches, cough, watery stool, vomiting, breathlessness, miscarriages, premature labour and allergic reactions.
The SACA consultant also hinted that other diseases and abnormalities include congenital heart defect, hydrocephalus, Omphalocele, anencephaly, anaemia, cancer and chronic obstructive airways.
