Multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria particularly in the Niger Delta region must abide by international standard practices and treaties in which Nigeria is a signatory.
Government regulatory agency likewise must live up to expectation by making sure that these oil companies abide by the rules guiding their operations in the country.
This was the position taken by Barrister Chima Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) at a webinar interactive programme titled: “Human and Ecological Rights.”
The programme was organised by Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) in collaboration with the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
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Barrister Williams who frowned at the impunity at which companies operating in the Niger Delta abuse fundamental rights of the people through pollution of the environment, said as environmental and human rights advocacy organisation, ERA will not fold its arms while this goes on in the area.
He lamented that due to the pollution of the environment, dwellers of the areas where these pollutions take place can no longer fish nor farm despite the fact that this is where they make a living.
While noting that ERA is committed in fighting every human and environmental injustice in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, the Executive Director said: “They are talking about diversion, we will not allow that. They are trying to move from onshore to offshore so that we will not able to monitor their activities”.
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“What we are saying is that, all laws, international treaties binding oil exploration must be adhered to. Nigeria is signatories to most of the treaties, so her case must not be different, Shell and other oil companies operating in Nigeria must operate the way and manner they operate in the United States, United Kingdom and other Western World.
“Some of them are even threatening to leave this country, we are not saying they should leave, but our argument is, they must obey human and environmental rights. And if they must leave the shore of our country, no problem, but they must clean up the mess they have made in the Niger Delta region. I am saying, if they must leave, they must return the area to the way they met us.”
He added: “Government agency regulating these companies must live to expectation. They are talking about joint-venure. Joint-venure that will not give them any right to take when these oil companies go wrong?”
On her part, Elvira Jordan, Programme Officer, CODAF, said her comapny’s findings show that despite laying the golden egg for the country, majority of oil producing communities lack social amenities, adding that not a single government presence in the area.
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She lamented that due to oil exploration in these communities cum pollution and its consequent hazard, many persons living in these communities are battling with one health challenge or the other.
While stating that CODAF is committed in making sure these people get justice, she enjoined civil society organisations, the media and others to join in giving these people voice with a view to making sure they get justice.
Also speaking, Tonbra Kasikoro Kilopirete, Executive Director, Women Initiative for Values Empowerment and Sustainability International (WIVES) said the people of the riverine needs enlightenment.
The ED who also doubles as National Women Leader, Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) said: “One thing I have discovered in my dealings with these people is that, they lack enlightenment.
“Many of them do not even know their rights and when you come to assist them they see you as someone coming to trample on their rights.”
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