Environmental Crisis: Kebetkache, Others Seek 'Urgent Remediation, Justice' for Niger Delta Communities

By Kelechi Nwaucha -
Against the backdrop of worsening Environmental crisis in the Niger Delta, occasioned by decades of oil exploration activities, environmental rights groups have intensified calls for urgent remediation measures and environmental justice in the embattled region. According to a United Nations report, life expectancy has dropped to 45 years in the region as a result of the hydrocarbons released into the water, air and soil pollution, with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other IOCs roundly accused by locals and NGOs of leading an "environmental assault" on the Niger Delta. Thus taking an advantage of the World Press Freedom Day last Friday, leading non-governmental organization in region, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, drew media attention to the harrowing cases of environmental injustice against communities and persons in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, Dr. Emem Okon, stressed the threat to sustainable development in the Niger Delta, as well as the environmental crisis of air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change that have continued to pose significant medical and environmental challenges for people and communities in the region. She said the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day, 'A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis,' offers Kebetkache and her allied organizations the opportunity to present the "environmental polution issues in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua Local Government Area and Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State." Dr. Okon said the environmental issues in the three communities "have to do with pollution, the three cases also have to do with issues of the responsible corporations not wanting to discuss, consult and dialogue with the affected communities to address the impact of their activities on these communities. "These are grievous human rights violations and environmental injustice issues, which is also contributing to climate change manifestations in those communities. The representatives of the three communities are here. Advocacy has been going on. In fact, as a result of the advocacy targeted at the Ibaa incident, the corporation involved had to go and try to destroy evidence in that community." In a release co-signed by January Igoma (Aminigboko Community), Hon. Henry Eferegbo (Obelle Community), Princewill Chukwure (Ibaa Community), Dr. Okon highlighted cases of pollution and degradation suffered by the three communities. "In 2016, people in Chukwure family compound discovered that their hand dug well was filled with crude oil instead of water that it was producing until that fateful period. The case was reported to the Shell the corporation carrying out activities in the locality. The family has been worried and concerned over their fate living with such level of pollution. "Part of the response by Shell to advocacy efforts to get justice for the family was that Shell sealed off the affected well. A visit to the site on May 2nd 2024 showed that some families still live with the pollution. The (Chukwure) family wants to be relocated to somewhere safe and secure and compensation paid for damages so far suffered by family members." Read more: https://phmundial.com/environmental-crisis-kebetkache-others-seek-urgent-remediation-justice-for-niger-delta/

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