A Non-Governmental Organization in Bauchi state, Environment Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) has emphasized the need for both governments and oil host communities to take precautionary measures to protect the environment and its ecosystem from the effects of oil exploration.
Executive Director of the organization Chima Williams stated this at a town hall on International Oil Companies (IOC) divestment from the Niger Delta and Oil in the North held in Bauchi for CSOs, the Media, and Human Rights groups.
Williams said the discovery of Oil in Bauchi State is of tremendous benefit to the state and its people, but much needs to be done to avert the effects of oil exploration and extraction on the environment.
Represented by Tijjani Abdulkareem, he noted that oil exploration tends to destroy the ecosystem, source of drinking water, and even the health of the people.
“Oil has been found in your community and you all must be jubilant and expectant, it’s the same with how people in the Niger Delta felt but today what is the situation”?
“There is oil spillage, polluted water, effect on the marine ecosystem, and many more.”
He said the town hall is to build voices around the issues of environmental rights for Bauchi communities where oil exploration is taking place.
It is also to bring the experience of the Niger Delta to Bauchi for the communities to understand the issues of divestment going on, issues of social injustice, and effects on the environment.
“This meeting is to provide a platform for the Media and CSOs to interface and discuss issues that this oil exploration has brought to the forefront for conversation to help tackle these issues.”
He urges the stakeholders to begin to create awareness in host communities for them to understand the operations of the oil companies and how they can work to protect their environment.
In a presentation on Oil divestment in the Niger Delta and Oil in the North, the lead facilitator Tijjani Abdulkareem said oil exploration in the North could lead to environmental pollution and endanger wildlife, especially around the Yankari Game Reserve.
The participants said there is a need for all stakeholders to organize themselves and speak with one voice, push for the implementation of existing laws and policies around oil exploration as well as work with host communities to know what is there for them.
By Lizzy Carr
