12 September 2016, Port Harcourt – National Coalition on Gas flaring and Oil spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND) in collaboration with National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Environmental Monitoring Team (EMT) has canvassed for a peaceful and successful clean-up exercise in Ogoni land.
The group canvassed for the peaceful process of the exercise during a one-day sensitisation campaign of communities in Gokana, one of the most affected area of oil spill in Ogoniland.
The communities were sensitized include Biara, Bomu, Kpor and Mogho in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In his opening remark, the Project Officer of NACGOND, Mr. Jesse-Martin Munafor stressed the importance of peace and unity to the success of the exercise.
According to him, the theme : “Avoidance of Re-pollution during the Ogoni clean-up”, was carefully chosen to remind the people of the implication of destroying already damaged environment which is under repair.
The communiqué signed by the different communities and youth leaders stated ” The youths of our communities shall desist from any unwholesome activity that will re-pollute remediated areas, and shall monitor and ensure that no other unauthorised individual or group shall access pipeline right of way to commit any third party interference that will lead to re-pollution”.
It also added, “During the clean-up the government should train the youths in skills acquisition and also engage them while the clean-up is going on. We shall not resort to violent approaches on conflict issues during and after the clean-up.
“The Gokana people will appreciate that the process before and during the clean-up should be fair and transparent to all communities involved in the process”. The communique added.
Also, NOSDRA representative, Mr Sylvester Agoh in a lecture on the “Impact of oil spills in the Environment: the role of communities in a sustainable Ogoni clean-up”, advised the people to support the government on the clean-up exercise, advising that violence is not the best resort to better development.
- The Guardian
