The Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre has said that the half-a-century old environmental pollution caused by oil spills from the operation of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the Niger-Delta was still threatening businesses, lives and development of the people of the oil rich region.
The women based group in a statement issued Monday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the oil exploration company, global community, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address the challenges.
It said that they were raising the issues especially that the 2024 World Press Freedom Day tagged ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis’, is addressing environmental discussions.
It noted: “There is a threat to sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The environmental crisis of air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change have become significant challenges for people and communities.
“In view of this, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, with her allied organisations present the environmental pollution issues in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua local government area and Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual local government area.”
The group added that in 2016, people in Chukwure family compound discovered that their hand dug well was filled with crude oil instead of water that it was producing until that fateful period and the case was reported to Shell, the corporation carrying out activities in the locality.
It added: “Part of the advocacy efforts to get justice for the family is Shell sealing off the affected well. A visit to the site on May 2nd 2024 showed that some family still live with the pollution. The family wants to be relocated to somewhere safe and secured and compensation paid for damages so far suffered by family members.
“Cases of environmental pollution are also reported in Aminigboko community, where environmental impact assessment is also under contention by community members.
“The issues have been reported to the Dutch National Contact Point, who intervened and made recommendations. The company has outrightly refused to address the issues since 10th February 2023 when the recommendation was made.”
