Environmental-Justice-in-Bayelsa: Rallying Global Support to Address-the-Oil-Pollution-Crisis

Environmental Justice in Bayelsa: Rallying Global Support to Address the Oil Pollution Crisis

Today again, we gathered in Abuja in furtherance to the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) report, titled: "An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Costs of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria."

Let me acknowledge our new development partners led by the Ford Foundation for putting together an International Conference on Petroleum Pollution and Just Transition in the Niger Delta, to X-ray the report and brainstorm on the best way to its full implementation.

I was particularly happy with the presence of my predecessor, H.E Senator Seriake Dickson, who himself established the commission while in office. Again, thanks to members of the National Assembly from our state who also joined us at the event in solidarity.

As a state, we are very touched with the with the array of distinguished guests, international experts, environmental rights activists and members of the BSOEC who have shown so much interest in the plight of our people and in our pursuit of environmental sustainability, social equity and justice.

For decades, our fishermen and farmers have to battle with polluted rivers and land coupled with various attendant health challenges as a result of unfriendly environmental practices by International Oil Companies (IOCs) who degrade and pollute the ecosystem.

The dilemma before us in the oil-rich Niger Delta is chiefly a result of our lopsided oil and gas laws and the inept enforcement by the Federal agencies vested with this mandate in the country.

While I restated my call for the IOCs to relocate their corporate headquarters to oil producing states, I seized the opportunity of the gathering to seek urgent intervention because the magnitude of our challenges requires the involvement of global stakeholders, compassionate nations, and responsible organisations.

Following the recommendations of the Commission and with the support of compassionate allies, we can transform this detailed and scientific report into a reality of restoration, healing, and hope of a better life for our peoplFord Foundationeve is not limited to Bayelsa State, I, therefore, call on my brother Governors from the oil producing states to join hands with us in this battle for environmental Justice.

Thank you Ford Foundation and other international partners for standing with Bayelsa!

~ SDD