– Urges Akwa Ibom to enact stringent laws against environmental polluters
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN, has urged Niger Delta State governments to revoke the Certificate of Ownership, C of O, on properties belonging to oil companies found guilty of environmental pollution, to serve as a deterrent against careless operations.
EDEN’s Executive Director, Chima Williams, made the call during a courtesy visit to Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, citing the recent oil spill in Ibeno Local Government Area as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of oil pollution on communities and the environment.
Williams who emphasized the need for harsher penalties against multinational companies guilty of environmental degradation, said revoking the CofO of erring companies would serve as a deterrent against reckless operations and disregard for environmental regulations.
On the recent oil spill in Ibeno Local Government Area, he stressed that the government must take decisive action to protect its people and the environment.
“Where the government feels restricted in its work, EDEN as a civil society organization that believes in environmental rights can be a voice that advocates for better laws, regulations and actions that protect host communities from the multinationals.
“Akwa Ibom state government to adopt the penalty of revoking the Certificate of Ownership on the properties of extractive companies found wanting, as a deterrent against careless operations and disregard for host communities.
“We are interested in ensuring environmental safety and environmental protection through collaborative efforts, and that the organization promotes environmental friendly laws around mining, waste management systems, and other issues that safeguard the environment,” Chima Williams said.
Also, EDEN’s Deputy Executive Director, Alagoa Morris, highlighted the importance of developing an environmental impact report on extraction activities in Akwa Ibom State, mirroring the UNEP Report which facilitated the Ogoni cleanup.
“The ministry should develop an environmental audit report of Akwa Ibom as other states like Bayelsa have already developed an environmental report on the impacts of oil and gas in the state.
“An environmental impact report on the activities of extraction in Akwa Ibom state is a first step towards pushing for the cleanup of impacted communities in this state.
“The Ogoni cleanup is only an entry point that is supposed to be replicated in the entire Niger Delta region with records of legacy spill incidents like the recent Ibeno oil spill.”
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Iquo Abia, assured EDEN of the government’s willingness to collaborate on environmental issues and consider stringent laws against polluters.
Abia stated that the governor of Akwa Ibom state is particular about environmental safety and is willing to collaborate with EDEN in taking further steps to protect the environmental rights of the people in Akwa Ibom state.
“The excesses of the oil multinationals in the state need to be monitored with keen interest, with the help of the judiciary, and thus, the idea raised by EDEN on the revocation of Certificate of Ownership of erring companies was worth considering as a means of ensuring the protection of the environmental rights of the people.”
She also acknowledged the idea of developing an environmental audit report of Akwa Ibom as suggested by the EDEN team, as this will facilitate a much needed cleanup in the oil producing areas in Akwa Ibom state and the entire Niger Delta.
