Group demands stringent laws against oil operators over environmental rights violations

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN, has called for the introduction of more stringent laws to hold oil operators accountable for their role in environmental degradation and rights violations in the Niger Delta.

The organization emphasized that the Niger Delta remains one of the most polluted areas in the world, with inadequate environmental protections for its people.

EDEN’s Deputy Executive Director, Alagoa Morris, made the call during the opening of its new office in Ughelli, Delta State, as part of its ongoing efforts to address the growing environmental crisis in the region.

Morris also highlighted the role EDEN’s data collection on oil spills has played in facilitating legal action against oil companies.

“The Niger Delta is one of the most polluted places on Earth, yet there is still no environmental legislature to protect the people. EDEN is committed to protecting the common interests of the people through environmental rights protection and advocating for climate justice.

“We demand reparation, remediation, and the payment of loss and damages to the affected communities.

“Our data and information on oil spills have been crucial in several litigations against oil multinationals. It has drawn global attention to the environmental issues in the Niger Delta and facilitated the efforts towards environmental protection and development.”

EDEN further stressed the need for urgent action, referring to the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report, which has guided the ongoing Ogoni cleanup.

“The UNEP report should be implemented in all oil-producing areas in the Niger Delta,” he urged. “This needs to be backed up by an environmental report, similar to the one carried out recently by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment.”

In his address, Ubrei-Joe Maimoni Mariere, EDEN’s Director of Climate Justice and Energy, explained that was founded to continue the work of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) and to combat corporate environmental impunity.

“We are here to bridge the gap left behind by ERA in the environmental struggle, to fight against corporate impunity, climate injustice, and human rights abuses against the people. Delta is one of the states where pollution is happening silently, and the people are subjected to untold levels of environmental and human rights abuses.”

Mariere also called for collaboration with civil society organizations, local communities, and stakeholders to expose and address environmental destruction in the region.

“We are open to collaborating with CSOs, communities, and other stakeholders to expose oil spillages and environmental degradation in Delta State,” he added.

Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, acknowledged the importance of EDEN’s presence in the region, recognizing the critical gap between academic research and environmental advocacy.

“The environmental issues in Delta State and the Niger Delta at large are critical and deserve every attention,” said Rim-Rukeh, who was represented by Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede, Acting Director, Center for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources.

“There is a significant gap between the environmental research conducted by academia and the role of advocacy in ensuring environmental protection. The university is ready to collaborate with EDEN in ensuring environmental justice and advocacy.”