Connect with us

Metro

Bayelsa To Sue Oil Companies For Decades Of Environmental Pollution

Published

on

The Bayelsa State Government has resolved to sue international oil companies operating in the state over unmitigated oil pollution for over six decades.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday while addressing an expanded State Executive Council meeting to receive the final report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission at Government House, Yenagoa.

He stated, “After a review of an advance copy of your report, I can affirm that it captures the essence of our trials while outlining a hopeful pathway towards resolution. Your insights will serve as a beacon, guiding us towards actionable solutions and inspiring us to restore dignity and opportunity to our people.

Advertisement

“The report, appropriately titled ‘An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,’ is truly alarming.

“Additionally, we are encouraged by the revelation in the report that in most advanced industrialised countries, two basic principles—’polluter pays’ and ‘no fault liability’—form the cornerstone of the legal regime for regulating extractive industries. Taken together, they mean that those who own and operate facilities are responsible for the damage caused by their pollution, even if they are not at fault.”

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Fed. Lawmaker Over Alleged Assault On Bolt Driver

Advertisement

He indicated that the government may pursue legal redress outside the shores of Nigeria.

Consequently, the perennial excuse by the IOCs that nearly ’90 per cent of leaks are due to sabotage, a finding they believe frees them of liability for compensating the victims’ would not find accommodation in foreign jurisdictions. That is why we are pleased that this commission has strengthened our capacity to litigate anywhere in the world.”

Diri quoted parts of the report in his address, noting that Bayelsa bears 25 per cent of Nigeria’s oil pollution and that one study estimated that in 2012 alone, oil spills in Nigeria, predominantly in the Niger Delta, resulted in over 16,000 additional neonatal deaths, saying, “Even one life lost to accommodate the greed of oil exploration is one death too many.”

Advertisement

Regarding the level of oil contamination, he stated, “It has been so heavy that, according to estimates, as much as one and a half barrels of oil have been spilled in Bayelsa for every man, woman, and child living in the state today. The figures are even higher for some parts of Bayelsa, with, for instance, as many as six barrels of oil spilled for every person in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.”

READ ALSO: Obasanjo To Wealthy Nigerians: Assist The Downtrodden

“The stark reality is devastating: every Bayelsa resident is affected, our lives perpetually endangered. The brutal implication: we are either already dead or waiting to die,” he added.

Advertisement

The report estimated that between 1970 and 2014, Nigeria earned an estimated trillion dollars in oil revenue. Since 2006, oil produced in Bayelsa has generated over US $150 billion for the Federal Government and billions for the international oil companies that operate its wells. On average, oil produced in Bayelsa is responsible for approximately US $10 billion in government revenues per year.

Diri formally dissolved the commission but stated that some of the members would be appointed to a committee he would soon set up to implement the report, which he assured would be carried out.

Speaking while presenting the final report to Governor Diri, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission, Archbishop John Sentamu, said oil has been a revenue spinner for the Federal Government but a curse for the land of the state.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Quack Doctor In Bayelsa

Sentamu noted that oil pollution has resulted in the loss of about 40 per cent of mangroves and that the level of toxic waste exceeds acceptable levels in several parts of the state.

Other members of the commission who spoke highlighted various aspects of the report, urging Governor Diri and the Bayelsa State Government to act swiftly to seek environmental justice.

Advertisement

The commission recommended a comprehensive Bayelsa recovery and cleanup plan, a recovery fund of US $12 billion over 12 years, the establishment of a Bayelsa Recovery Agency, a new compensation scheme for those affected, and fundamental reform of the regulatory regime.

It also called for the introduction of a new legal framework and new dispute resolution procedures, enshrining and enhancing the role of state governments, strengthening scrutiny of IOC behaviour both internationally and in their home jurisdictions, overhauling IOC approaches to community engagement to ensure transparency, accountability, and voice, as well as establishing a legally binding effective legacy and decommissioning regime.

Advertisement

Metro

My Husband Started Coming Home Late, Dated Other Women After He Bought BMW

Published

on

Kabushi Local Government, Zambia, has heard how a married man changed after buying a BMW vehicle as it gave him confidence to go after other women.

In this case, Veronica Chiluya 30, , sued Sammy Shapi, 40, for divorce due to marital disputes.

Veronica told the court that the two got married in 2014 after Sammy paid K400 as dowry and together they have two children.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:My Husband Comes Home With Used Condoms — Wife

According to Zambia Daily Mail, she said all was well until 2021 when her husband bought a car after he went to do some work outside the country.

He started coming back home late and sometimes he would come the next day around 14:00 hours.

Advertisement

“He used to be a good husband, but the moment he bought a car, things changed in the house as he now started seeing other women.”

Continue Reading

Metro

My Husband Seized My Wedding Gifts, Threw Me Out — Wife

Published

on

…I’m sorry —Husband

A Sharia Court in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a two-year-old marriage between a couple, Harira Sanusi and Aliyu Yunusa.

The judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar-Tureta dissolved their marriage following a petition for divorce filed by Harira.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Harira accused Aliyu of calling her parents names and humiliating her.

Advertisement

He will often throw out my suitcases and other belongings.

READ ALSO:My Husband Does Not Give Me, Our Children Feeding Allowance —Wife

“He seized my wedding gifts and humiliates me,” she said.

Advertisement

She prayed the court to order Aliyu to allow her access to her belongings.

On his part, Aliyu who did not deny the allegations apologized to her in court.

Aliyu granted the request of Sanusi and made one pronouncement of divorce to her.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

My Husband Threw Me Out After 17yrs of Marriage —Wife

Published

on

…I still love her —Husband

A housewife, Lawal Modupe, has approached an Upper Area Court sitting at Kubwa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeking the dissolution of her 17-year-old marriage to her husband, Ismaila on the grounds of lack of love and affection.

Modupe told the court that she got married Ismaila according to Islamic laws.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the mother of three stated that her husband sent her out of their matrimonial home on June 17, 2023.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:My Husband Wants To Take A New Wife, Threatens To Kill Me If I Refuse To Leave, Woman Tells Court

“I do not love him anymore and I want the court to dissolve our marriage,” she said.

The respondent, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

Advertisement

He pleaded with the court to call for a mediation involving his family and that of the wife.

READ ALSO:My Husband Does Not Give Me, Our Children Feeding Allowance —Wife

The judge, Mohammed Wakli, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

Advertisement

He pleaded with the court to call or a mediation involving his family and that of his wife.

The judge, Mohammed Wakili, however, advised the respondent to make efforts to win his wife’s love back and the couple two weeks to settle their differences and report back to the court.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending