NGO urges Media, CSOs to sensitize Bauchi communities on hazards of oil exploration, environmental rights
By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
Civil Society Organizations and the media in Bauchi state have been called upon to sensitize communities in Bauchi state on the hazards of oil exploration and engage the government to ensure that the environmental rights of the people are protected.
The Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), Chima Williams stated this during a town hall meeting for stakeholders on International Oil Companies (IOCs) divestment from the Niger Delta and Oil in the North in Bauchi state.
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The Executive Director said that the objective of the meeting was to build voices around issues of environmental rights for Bauchi communities where oil exploration has just began, adding that using the experience of the Niger Delta community of Oloibiri in Bayelsa state where oil was found in the 1950s, the communities have now described the oil as a curse and not a blessing.
Represented by the Program Coordinator, Tijani Abdulkareem, the Executive Director stated that in Iwerekhan in Delta State, gas flaring is ravaging the community and causing illnesses, pointing out that although the community took Shell to court for gas flaring and got a positive ruling in 2005, gas flaring still continues there.
“The list of communities impacted by oil is endless. Worse is the fact that shell and other IOCs that caused these incidents are now selling off their onshore operations and going offshore where their operation cannot be effectively monitored. They are now trying to dodge responsibility for all these atrocities. Even the indigenous companies buying the abandoned facilities say they cannot carry the liabilities left by former owners. The Implication is that the local community people are left to carry the burdens.”
“It is for this reason that we feel the striking of oil in your Communities will not bring about the prosperity you have been promised. Already, there is strife between the Bauchi and Gombe communities claiming the oil. It is the same in Niger Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa are in court over ownership of oil wells. Former brothers and Sisters no longer see eye to eye. In all this, the oil multinational when they come, will carry on business as usual,” he said.
One of the participants, Sadiya Iliyasu who spoke to Journalists, commended the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria for engaging them to brainstorm on how to enlighten communities where oil explorations are ongoing, including Bauchi state.
Sadiya who is the Executive Director of Nurse is Watching, an organization supporting Women and Children Initiative, expressed optimisms that the move will address issues embedded in oil activities across the affected communities.
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