Groups, host communities task govt on environmental issues in Rivers

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), community groups, and oil host communities have staged a peaceful rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to draw attention to environmental issues.

They urged the state to intervene and prevent the Federal Government from granting Shell and other International Oil Companies (IOCs) permission to divest until an audit is conducted on the environment, health, and livelihood, and steps are taken to remediate the fallout of the findings.

The protest, which was led by the Social Development Integrated Centre – Social Action, at weekend, commenced from UTC Junction in Port Harcourt and terminated at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The protesters comprised women, youths and men, who carried placards with inscriptions, like: ‘No restoration, no remediation’, ‘Save the Niger Delta, restore our livelihoods’, and ‘Shell is going nowhere until they restore our original environment’.

They said the divestment threatens to exacerbate social injustice in the region, lacks transparency and fails to ensure community voices are heard.

They asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene by ensuring immediate halt to the divestment process until comprehensive reviews are conducted, ensuring Shell’s accountability for environmental restoration and community compensation.

Programme Manager of Social Action Nigeria, Prince Edegbuo, said: “The legacy of environmental devastation and social injustice that Shell leaves behind is unacceptable. We cannot allow a transnational corporation to profit at the expense of our people and then absolve itself of the monumental pollution it has caused.”

He said the march underscored the severe environmental and health crises plaguing the Niger Delta as a result of decades of oil and gas operations.

Avadi Chimankpa from Rumuekpe highlighted the dire consequences of oil pollution in his community, calling for accountability and a commitment to remediation before any discussion on divestment.

Also, Zinabari Mgba, a women leader from Krokrotai, lamented the health impacts on the community, stressing that children fall sick frequently, husbands are unable to fulfil their responsibilities, and crops yield poorly.