Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that Niger Delta could be ranked one of the most polluted region in the world due to series of oil spills occasioned by poor industrial extractions and transportation of oil and gas.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the Technical Committee Meeting of the 6th National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) holding in Asaba.
The meeting has the theme, “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
The governor described the meeting as an all important event, adding that it has great impact on the nine states of the Niger Delta Region.
” I want to thank the Almighty God for granting us all safe journey and the enabling grace to be present here for this all important event that has great impact on the respective states of the Niger Delta Region that we represent.
“Over the years, the Niger Delta has experienced series of devastating oil spills primarily caused by industrial activities related to the extraction and transportation of oil and gas.
“Due to this high amount of spills, the Niger Delta is considered one of the most polluted regions in the world.
“These oil spills have caused severe and continuous damage on the delicate balance of the region’s ecosystems; they affect both the environment and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on its resources,” Oborevwori said.
He noted that the region was bedeviled by both environmental, security and infrastructural challenges ranging from gas flaring, illegal oil bunkering and local refining of crude leading to environmental pollution.
He said,”the sooth problem, oil spillage with its attendant destruction of aquatic and agricultural produce as well as the lackluster construction of the East West road, erosion;
“The perennial flooding occasioned by the non-dredging of the River Niger as well as abandonment of the various seaports in the region leading to loss of economic activities and employment within the region, this is why the theme is apt.”
He called for strategic and collaborative approaches between the Federal and Sub-national governments in the region to address the hydra-headed challenges facing the oil-rich states and put the region on the path of economic growth and development.
He expresses the belief that the committee at the end would provide a clear road map for the region to forge a path towards peace, progress and prosperity in line with the full potentials of the region in terms of her rich human and natural resources.
Earlier, in his welcome address by the Dr Shuaib Belgore, Chairman, Technical Committee and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development, said lauded the committee for the expertise and support.
“I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to the members of this committee for your unwavering support and dedication so far in carrying out your responsibilities.
“Your expertise and insights are invaluable in guiding our region towards a brighter future.
“Today, as privileged people, we have gathered here as Technical members and Stakeholder to discuss and deliberate on matters of utmost significance that will further shape the future of the Niger Delta Region.
“Posterity when the annals of this Region will be read in terms of developmental effort, we shall all be applauded,” he said.
Belgore said that the theme was carefully chosen to explore other alternative areas of development and untapped natural resources in the region besides oil.
He said that the President Bol Tinubu’s led administration was shown commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the region.
“This is encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government and specifically outlined in the current Ministerial Mandate of the Ministry.
Belgore, however, lamented the low response of stakeholders on the implementation of resolutions at the previous Meetings.
“You will recall that at the 5th Meeting of NCND held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, it was agreed that the Council Resolution Implementation Task Team should be constituted.
“However, this team is yet to be inaugurated for some obvious reasons:
“These include the turnover rate in the leadership of the Ministry coupled with electioneering activities in the country last year, which resulted in the change of administration.
” In the same vein, it has been observed that the majority of the Memoranda received from the stakeholders fall below the standard. This was either due to noncompliance with the memo,” he said.
