Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have charged farmers in Eteo community in Eleme local government council of Rivers State to hold International Oil Companies (IOCs) accountable for the pollution of their farmlands and water bodies.

They made the call following the incessant oil spills that have occurred in the community, destroying their predominant sources of livelihood and negatively impacting their health. The groups also advised the farmers to demand the restoration of their polluted environment, as well as their health.

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Project Lead, Fossil Politics, Stephen Oduware, who led a team of CSOs to Eteo community to meet with 25 farmers, said the aim was to have an in-depth knowledge of farmers’ perception of land grabbing and extractive activities, as well as sensitise them on the immediate and remote impacts of oil extraction on their sources of livelihoods.

Also addressing the farmers, Executive Director, We The People, Ken Henshaw, expressed worry that the era of oil extraction was coming to an end, but the devastating effects were going to be left behind by the companies.

Henshaw said: “That is why it is important for you to come together, synergise and make two core demands – restoration of your environment, health and livelihoods of the people. That’s not a demand that any CSOs can make, that’s a demand that the people of Eteo themselves need to make for themselves and that is why they came to build your capacities.”

The Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Emem Okon, charged them to engage the oil companies and demand compensation for the destruction of their environment.

“To address issues of pollution there is a need to resist further pollution and further grabbing of your land and make demands for restoration of the land, especially now that the companies are divesting offshore, and hold them accountable to restore the land, address issues of pollution before they leave,” Okon said