PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News across the Niger Delta
Related Articles
As attention heightens on the plight of gas overwhelmed Community people in Bille, Rivers State with civil society activists, expressing concern in varied ways, two non-governmental organizations seriously advocating for environmental rights – Pilex Center and Lekeh Development Foundation, have come up a position paper demanding actions to be taken by the Federal Government to bring about changes that will structurally address the Bille environmental challenge and help correct related abuses in other parts of the Niger Delta.
The position paper addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and signed by Courage Nsirimovu Esq. (Pilex) and Comrade Friday Nbani (Lekeh) read:
POSITION PAPER TO:
His Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria
THROUGH: His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Rivers State
FROM: Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI) Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF)
COPIES TO: The Honourable Minister of Environment
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)
SUBJECT:
Position Paper on the Devastating Impact of Oil Spills and Gas Leaks in Bille Community and Other Polluted Communities in the Niger Delta and the Urgent Need for Comprehensive Environmental Remediation Using the Host Communities Development and Environmental Remediation Provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
INTRODUCTION
We, Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative (PCCEI) and Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF), respectfully present this position paper to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the worsening environmental and humanitarian crisis caused by recurring oil spills, gas leaks, gas flaring, and decades of environmental pollution across the Niger Delta, particularly in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Niger Delta remains the economic backbone of Nigeria through its enormous contribution to the nation’s oil and gas wealth. Ironically, the region continues to suffer severe environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, public health emergencies, and increasing poverty resulting from pollution that has remained largely unremediated for decades.
THE SITUATION IN BILLE COMMUNITY
Bille Kingdom has experienced repeated incidents of crude oil spills and gas leaks from pipelines and oil facilities operating within and around the community. These incidents have resulted in: Destruction of mangrove forests and biodiversity. Pollution of rivers and creeks, rendering fishing impossible. Contamination of drinking water sources. Destruction of farmlands and aquatic ecosystems. Increased respiratory illnesses and other health challenges associated with hydrocarbon pollution. Loss of livelihoods for thousands of fishermen, women, and youths. Increased unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and social unrest. Many affected families have watched their ancestral environment deteriorate without adequate remediation or compensation.
THE BROADER NIGER DELTA CHALLENGE
The environmental crisis is not limited to Bille Community. Similar conditions exist across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Abia, Edo, Imo, and other oil-producing states. Numerous reports have documented: Thousands of oil spill incidents. Persistent gas flaring. Contaminated groundwater. Destruction of wetlands. Loss of biodiversity. Severe impacts on climate resilience. Long-term public health risks. Despite several intervention programmes, environmental restoration has remained grossly inadequate.
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACT (PIA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FUND
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was enacted to reform Nigeria’s petroleum industry and promote environmental sustainability. Among its objectives are: Environmental protection. Pollution prevention. Restoration of degraded environments. Sustainable petroleum operations. Protection of host communities. However, communities continue to ask a fundamental question: Why has the Environmental Remediation Fund and other environmental obligations under the PIA not translated into visible large-scale clean-up of polluted communities across the Niger Delta? The continued deterioration of the environment undermines public confidence in the implementation of the PIA and raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of environmental governance. OUR POSITION We respectfully submit that: Environmental justice is a constitutional and moral obligation. Every Nigerian deserves access to a clean and healthy environment. The Niger Delta cannot continue to bear the environmental cost of national economic development. Immediate remediation is more cost-effective than allowing pollution to worsen. Sustainable peace in the Niger Delta requires environmental restoration alongside economic development.
OUR DEMANDS
- We respectfully call on the President to: Order an immediate comprehensive environmental assessment of Bille Community.
*Direct the immediate clean-up and remediation of all oil-polluted sites in Bille Community.
*Expand remediation efforts to all polluted communities across the Niger Delta.
*Direct the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and relevant agencies to publish a transparent report on the Environmental Remediation Fund and its utilization.
*Ensure that funds provided under the Petroleum Industry Act for environmental protection are transparently deployed for remediation projects.
*Establish an independent multi-stakeholder Environmental Remediation Monitoring Committee comprising government agencies, host communities, civil society organizations, environmental experts, and development partners.
*Strengthen enforcement against oil companies whose operations contribute to pollution through negligence or failure to maintain infrastructure. Accelerate restoration of mangrove forests, wetlands, fisheries, and biodiversity across the Niger Delta. Provide adequate compensation and livelihood restoration programmes for affected communities. Implement continuous environmental monitoring and public reporting mechanisms.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Implementation of these recommendations will:
*Restore degraded ecosystems.
*Improve public health. Revive fishing and agriculture.
*Promote peace and stability. Increase public confidence in government institutions.
*Demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
- Advance the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act.
CONCLUSION
Your Excellency, the people of Bille Community and the wider Niger Delta have waited far too long for environmental justice. The wealth generated from the region has sustained Nigeria for decades. It is therefore, just and equitable that deliberate efforts be made to restore the environment, protect public health, and secure the future of present and coming generations. We respectfully urge Your Excellency to direct the immediate implementation of a comprehensive Niger Delta Environmental Clean-Up Programme, beginning with Bille Community and extending to every impacted community. This action will stand as a historic demonstration of your administration’s commitment to environmental justice, sustainable development, and the welfare of all Nigerians. Respectfully submitted,
Signed:
Courage Nsirimovu Esquire,
PILEX CENTRE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE (PCCEI) LEKEH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (LDF)
