Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has said over 60 per cent suffer negative health effects in Niger Delta as a result of the devastating impact of oil and environmental pollution in the region.

This is contained in a recent research report by HEDA. The report, titled, “Leadership Approval Rating: Impact of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Six Oil-Producing States in Nigeria,” revealed that 60 per cent of the population in the region suffered from health problems caused by oil pollution, while 75 per cent of respondents reported negative impacts on local biodiversity.

The survey, which sampled 1,074 people across six states, including Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers, found that 70 per cent of respondents believed oil and gas activities had significantly contributed to environmental pollution. Water pollution, in particular, was cited as the most common type of pollution, with an average of 41 per cent of respondents witnessing it firsthand.

The research findings also discovered that 61 per cent of respondents reported negative health effects due to oil pollution, highlighting a pressing need for health interventions and environmental remediation. On biodiversity loss, 75 per cent of respondents reported that environmental pollution had affected local biodiversity, including animals, fish and birds.

Meanwhile, 45 per cent of respondents did not believe their state governments hold oil and gas companies accountable for environmental damage, while 76 per cent expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s responsiveness to environmental concerns.

Speaking about the findings of the report, HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, emphasised the need for urgent action.He said: “The call for action is clear; for oil companies and government agencies to engage more proactively with communities, protect the environment and the people, who depend on it, and pave the way for a future that is both economically and ecologically sustainable.”

Suraju noted that the ratings were crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of leases in various capacities and guiding development, enhancing accountability, and informing stakeholders. He added that the report’s findings were a stark reminder of the ecological and economic sustainability challenges facing the Niger Delta region.