“FISH AND FOOD SCARCITY LOOMS IN THE NIGER DELTA” ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS WARN

“FISH AND FOOD SCARCITY LOOMS IN THE NIGER DELTA” ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS WARN

The AIbom Oil Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON) has expressed  concerns over an impending fish scarcity in the Niger Delta, owing to environmental pollution caused by oil spills and gas flaring, sea piracy and insecurity.

Founder and President of AKIPON, Ufot A. Phenson, stated this during the public presentation and launch of the book, titled “State Security Management, Hydrocarbon Pollution, Environment and Implications on Human Rights in Nigeria”, which was held on the 5th of September 2024 in Uyo.

In his presentation, Ufot said that gas flaring and incessant oil spills have forced many fishermen to abandon the fishing occupation, as the water bodies and aquatic life have been disrupted by oil and gas leaks. Ufot warned that the unchecked pollution, including the most recent in the Ibeno Local government area of the state, would worsen the food crisis that locals are already facing and force many into crime.

He faulted the government for not doing enough to ensure the protection of the environment and the livelihoods of the common people, as oil-producing communities in Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta have been subjected to high levels of poverty without the required infrastructural development.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Barrister Chima Williams, said that the book is timely and captures in clear and understandable language the situation in most communities in the Niger Delta where oil is mined.

Williams stressed that the insecurity in the Niger Delta is fueled by the pollution and neglect of the host communities and their frustrations as producers of the golden egg but have nothing to show for it

The EDEN executive director opined that the solution to the environmental crisis in Akwa Ibom, like much of the Niger Delta, must start with a comprehensive environmental audit to determine the amount of destruction of the ecosystem to be able to come up with holistic solutions.

He described the author of the book as eminently qualified to x-ray the issues bedevilling the Niger Delta oil belt and proffer solutions as one who has traversed the public service and now engaging with the impacted peoples at the grassroots.

He used the opportunity to also disclose that EDEN will work with AKIPCON to continue to document oil impacts and challenge the relevant state institutions to take action to remediate the environment and hold its destructors to account.

Chima Williams was also honoured by AKIPON with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his exemplary leadership role in environmental justice and human rights in society.

The highlight of the book launch was the swearing-in of the AKIPCON Executive Council and local government coordinating committees.

The event had civil society activists, traditional rulers, researchers, the media, and members of AKIPCON from the 31 local government area of the state.