A Non-Governmental Organization, the Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, is demanding a total ecological audit of the Niger Delta region and accountability for oil spill impacts following years of oil exploration by oil multinationals.
The Executive Director of Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, Michael Gbarale in a statement said that the devastating impact of oil spills caused by multinational companies operating in the Niger Delta region have resulted in the loss of means of livelihoods, destruction of mangroves, and irreversible environmental degradation.
The Niger Delta region is home to a diverse ecosystem, providing livelihoods for millions of people who depend on its rich biodiversity for sustenance and other economic activities.
The Group, in the statement called for a comprehensive environmental audit of the Niger Delta region to assess the full extent of the damage caused by oil spills.
He noted that multinational oil companies operating in the area should be held accountable for their actions and take responsibility for the restoration and rehabilitation of the affected communities and ecosystems.
“The Niger Delta region is home to a diverse ecosystem, providing livelihoods for millions of people who depend on its rich biodiversity for sustenance and economic activities. However, the irresponsible activities of multinational oil companies have wreaked havoc on this fragile ecosystem, resulting in ecological imbalance and severe socio-economic consequences for the local communities.
Oil spills have had a significant and long-lasting impact on the means of livelihoods of the communities in the region”.
“Rainbow Watch and Development Centre urgently calls for a comprehensive environmental audit of the Niger Delta region to assess the full extent of the damage caused by oil spills. Multinational companies operating in the area must be held accountable for their actions and take responsibility for the restoration and rehabilitation of the affected communities and ecosystems” he said.
The Executive Director of Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, Michael Gbarale further urged the government and regulatory bodies to enforce stringent environmental regulations and oversight to ensure that the activities of multinational oil companies align with sustainable practices and respect the rights and well-being of local communities.
“Furthermore, we urge the government and regulatory bodies to enforce stringent environmental regulations and oversight, ensuring that the activities of multinational oil companies align with sustainable practices and respect the rights and well-being of local communities. The enforcement of strong penalties for non-compliance is necessary to check future oil spills and protect the environment” he said.
