Environmentalist warns communities against oil pollution, environmental degradation

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Founder of an NGO, Environmental Awareness and Restoration Network (EARN), Prof. Sylvester Egwu, has warned communities in the Niger Delta against actions that would further degrade the environment.

Egwu, gave the warning on Thursday in Yenagoa at a conference with the theme: Tackling climate change and Environmental challenges in oil-producing areas of Nigeria.

He said that the oil pollution has degraded and damaged the ecosystem and led to the death of many Nigerians.

According to him, Nigeria has the highest oil spill cases in the world with an estimated 30,000 oil spill incidents recorded of which 448  occurred since the discovery of crude oil at Oloibiri in 1956.

Egwu however, said the UNDP had reported that there were 6,817 incidences of oil spillage in Nigeria.

“National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) also recorded 822 oil spills from 2020-2021 one year period.

“These figures show the alarming and unprecedented rates that Nigeria has the highest oil spill incidents globally,” he said.

He said that the organisation was established to contribute to environmental leadership, conservation of nature and sustainable development in Nigeria.

In his presentation, Mr Abbas Agbaje, an Environmentalist, said the conference was relevant and timely in creating awareness of illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in Nigeria.

He said that it was observed that Bayelsa and Rivers State were the most affected by oil pollution.