By Amaka  Obiefuna

A Rights Advocacy Group, Connected Advocacy, has empowered (mentally and materially) the people of Agbarho local community in Delta State, to bridge climate action gaps in transitioning from fossil fuel and to seek justice following the perennial environmental degradation meted on them by International Oil Companies (IOCs) which has led to colossal damage of their sources of living.

At a one day Local Community Summit On Oil Divestment & Environmental Justice, put together by a Civil Society Organization, Connected Advocacy, to empower the people to actively

participate in decisions that affect their well-being, the people expressed grief over what they tagged ‘exploitation with impunity’ perpetuated by activities of foreign oil companies which have destroyed their natural habitat livelihood, and health.

With the theme: Strengthening Indigenous Knowledge to Bridge Climate Action Gaps in Transitioning From Fossil Fuel, the group believe that there was need for the people to fully informed and empowered to know what is right thing to do at any time to ameliorate their plight, since people perish for dearth of knowledge.

Addressing stakeholders from Niger Delta Oil polluted communities, the convener cum Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, Prince Israel Orekha, empathized why the issue of local community Oil Divestment and Environmental justice must take the center stage at all discourse.

In a plaintive mood, he buttressed that after the recent COP28 conference, the need for the government and IOCs to listen to the lamentations of local community on oil divestment and environmental justice was heralded.

According to him, owing to constant neglect of local community which was a top agenda at COP28, the devastating condition of the environment underscores the urgent need for action, particularly in regions like the Niger Delta, where communities bear the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the current change in weather/atmosphere across the country is not harmful but rather an extreme form of air pollution with dire consequences on public health, however it has aggravated the woes of the people already devastated.

“We, the people bears the brunt of the impact on environmental degradation and climate crisis. Transitioning from fossil fuels and strengthening indigenous knowledge to bridge climate action gaps is urgently needed.

“Looking at the IOCs Divestment without visible decommissioning plans in place, to pay compensations, our community will be left with stranded assets, stranded personnel and a stranded community- hence the need for environmental accountability and transparency. We hope to find ways to work together to create a more sustainable future for our planet” he opined.

Other stakeholders who spoke including  Babawale Obayanju, admonished the people to establish ground for environmental justice, while Umfon Gabriel, another concerned citizen, shed light on IOCs divestment saga going on in Nigeria, and why it’s unethical, and how community can hold the polluters accountable. One of his overarching solutions was – beneficial ownership disclosure.

High point of the event was when the women poured their deepest grief of pollution which has caused scarcity of, and poorly matured fishes and other agricultural assets. They were worried about the future of their children and poor agricultural yield.

A resident, Mr. Babatunde pointed towards actionable steps to stem this menace. Mr Umfon Gabriel who empowered the people with requisite knowledge and tools, such as emission reduction methods and environmental protection strategies, again charged the people to hold IOCs accountable, saying, “We must understand the legal framework underlying the whole process.

“You have the right to demand for documentations and profiles of IOCs deals and their major stakeholders and beneficiaries. Knowing the beneficiaries, understanding the terms and conditions of the contracts etc would give you an edge in demanding justice”. He also emphasized youth empowerment and policy advocacy, noting that the destiny of the people lies in their ability to act.

With the hashtag, #SaveNigerDelta EnvironmentNow, the people unanimously echoed, “we shall not fold our hands and watch Oil companies make empty promises. IOC Divestment without Remediation is an Injustice to Our Environment. We demand loss & damage funds for our Community. Our Environment is Our Life.

“Climate Discussions Without Local Community Concerns Are Mere Rhetoric. When Will You Keep The Promise? It’s Not Too Late to Stop Divestment Until Compensation is Completed. Where Do We Go from Here, After IOC Divestment. IOC Divestment Without Compensation is Injustice to Niger Deltans”

They tasked IOCs to fix their operational environment before divestment and pay compensation before divestment, saying, “Be a part of the solution, not part of the pollution. Enough is enough. We must continue in this kind of engagement until environmental justice, remediation, and end to fossil-fuel is achieved” they avowed.