Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have called for an amendment to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to remove the Section which criminalizes host communities for sabotage of oil facilities within their areas.
This demand was a central issue at the 3rd Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence in Abuja, organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).
The convergence aimed to address over seventy years of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, providing a platform for regional stakeholders to advocate for environmental restoration and social justice.
In an address, His Royal Highness King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, emphasized the urgent need to amend the legislation, describing it as anti-people.
King Dakolo stressed that the current PIA fails to protect the interests of host communities.
Professor Ibiba Lucky Worika, Director of Advanced Law Research at the Rivers State University, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the need for a complete overhaul of the PIA.
He highlighted that the departure of international oil companies has left the region with severe environmental degradation, pollution, and climate impacts.
“The PIA has not only failed to safeguard the rights of host communities but has also left them to deal with the aftermath of decades-long exploitation,” said Worika.
Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, emphasized the critical need for the Niger Delta to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and called for immediate action to remediate the environmental damage caused by years of oil exploitation.
“The National Assembly must address these existential issues for the people and the territory.
The region cannot afford to remain in a toxic situation created by the oil companies,” Bassey urged.
The stakeholders also urged the federal government to develop comprehensive plans to relocate individuals affected by climate change and environmental degradation in coastal communities.
As the global energy landscape shifts towards renewable energy, they demanded proper decommissioning of oil fields by multinational oil companies exiting the country to prevent further environmental harm.
Our correspondent reports that additional demands from the forum include a thorough assessment of the Niger Delta, a comprehensive health audit, and a robust plan for environmental restoration.
These measures, the stakeholders argue, are essential for rectifying longstanding environmental injustices and ensuring a sustainable future for the Niger Delta region.
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