Agency
Health of Mother Earth Foundation, an environmental group has commenced the training of 100 residents of oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State on pollution monitoring.
The communities, who were drawn from Brass Local Government Area of the state, are to track and report on oil spills so that efforts can be taken on time to mitigate their effect on the environment.
Speaking at the opening of the programme on Thursday in Twon Brass, the Programmes Manager, HOMEF, Mr Stephen Oduware, explained that the participants would monitor and document pollution by oil companies in their communities, adding that the aim of the environmental monitoring and reporting training was to also enable the locals to highlight the environmental impacts of oil spills and other activities on their communities.
He noted that some International Oil Companies operating in the area, notably Agip and Shell, had reported a series of oil spills in 2015, 2021 and 2022 in the area.
According to him, the event would also help to build the capacity of the people to advocate for sustainable environmental practices and speak up on what they want in their communities.
Oduware said, “We are here in Twon Brass to have discussions and know the challenges they face. This area is predominantly fishermen, not only those in Twon Brass but other communities also.
“We are here to talk to them; these people face the issue of pollution from the production platforms and export loading terminals.
“The Aiteo loading vessel that is off the coast here is a very big menace, it is causing a lot of spills affecting the environment.
“So, we came here to sit down to analyse the situation and to talk about the needed actions.
“They need environmental clean up, remediation and restoration, they equally need a health audit, we must know the health issues they are having.”
Programme Manager and Head Environmental Right Action, Niger Delta Resource Centre, Mr Morris Alagoa, on his part, said the event was meant to educate the people on the importance of a clean environment, the effects of pollution and mitigation procedures.
He observed that due to negative human activities on the environment, most aquatic animals in the food chain and crops have become extinct.
Oil spills, he noted, are also hindering healthy living among rural dwellers as their environment faces continuous pollution.
Alagoa added, “We are in the community to empower them on how to reach out to their people, to reach out to the government, oil firms, the media, and to be self-reliant in dealing with their issues.”
He commended HOMEF for the training and sensitisation of the rural dwellers, whom he said bear the brunt of oil pollution.
Speaking also, the Project Officer, ERA, Mr Monday Zeworitin, said oil spills load the marine environment with a lot of toxic chemicals detrimental to life underwater.
He added, “When exposed to crude oil, adult fish may experience reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion and reproduction impairment.
“Oil also adversely affects eggs and larvae survival.”
On his part, the Vice Chairman Twon Brass Council of Chiefs, Chief Otonye Layefa, commended the organisers for the training, saying the community also suffers from ocean surges.
He appealed to the Bayelsa and the Federal governments to come to their aid as their ancestral land was being gradually washed away.
“Our people are affected by oil spills. Our livelihood is being destroyed because of the oil spilt by the oil firms,” Layefa lamented.
(NAN)
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