Host communities in the Niger Delta have demanded a central role in efforts to restore ecosystems devastated by decades of oil exploration, insisting that those who have lived with the consequences of pollution must also shape the solutions.

The call came during a one-day Community Assembly organised by Oilwatch International in Port Harcourt, where representatives from more than 15 oil-producing communities, environmental organisations and civil society groups deliberated on strategies for ecological restoration under the theme, “Reclaiming Ecological Integrity in the Niger Delta: From Environmental Damage to Ecological Restoration; The Role of Host Communities in Reclaiming Their Land.”

Participants argued that while years of advocacy have exposed the environmental impacts of oil spills, gas flaring and pollution, the priority must now shift towards restoring damaged lands, rivers and livelihoods through community-driven initiatives.

Coordinator of Oilwatch International and Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Kentebe Ebiaridor, said communities have paid the highest price for oil extraction and should therefore be at the forefront of decisions on environmental recovery.

He explained that the assembly was designed to enable affected communities identify environmental challenges peculiar to their areas and collectively develop recommendations that would guide future advocacy before governments, lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

Ebiaridor disclosed that discussions revealed emerging environmental concerns, including flooding in communities that previously had no history of flooding, the resurgence of gas flaring in some locations, and reports of unusual bubbling from land and water bodies in communities such as Bille and Alakiri.

He said Oilwatch International would compile the observations and recommendations from participants into an advocacy document aimed at influencing environmental policies and restoration programmes, despite concerns that environmental issues may receive less attention as political activities gather momentum ahead of future elections.

Delivering a presentation at the assembly, Chief Operating Officer of Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), Alagoa Morris, urged host communities to strengthen environmental monitoring by systematically documenting oil spills, gas leaks and other pollution incidents.

Morris said accurate records, including photographs, videos, spill locations, dates and Joint Investigation Visit reports, would provide credible evidence to support demands for environmental justice and ecological restoration.

He noted that sustained documentation by community volunteers, environmental groups and the media over the years contributed to greater public reporting of pollution incidents by oil companies and increased awareness of environmental violations.

According to him, environmental justice extends beyond compensation, stressing that restoring degraded ecosystems is essential to reviving livelihoods that depend on healthy land and water resources.

Morris also encouraged communities to develop comprehensive inventories of historical and active polluted sites, citing the ongoing Ogoni cleanup and the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission Report as useful models for broader restoration efforts across the Niger Delta.

The assembly concluded with participants agreeing that meaningful ecological restoration will require stronger community participation, consistent environmental documentation and sustained advocacy to ensure decades of environmental degradation are effectively addressed.