Benin city: Environmental activists, civil society groups, and community representatives from the Niger Delta are urging a swift review of Nigeria's Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to establish a definitive end date for gas flaring. The demand was a key resolution from the Climate Justice Assembly held in Benin City during the launch of the 'Yasunize and Ogonize the World for Socio-Ecological Wellbeing' initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the assembly was organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF). Stakeholders criticized the current provisions of the PIA as being unjust and harmful to the environment. A declaration signed by Mr. Stanley Egholo, Cadmus Atake-Enade, and Kome Odhomor accused the PIA of failing the Niger Delta region by allowing gas flaring and unfairly placing pipeline protection responsibilities on local communities.
The groups called on the National Assembly to amend the law, removing the authority of regulatory agencies to issue gas-flaring permits. They advocated for legislation that sets a fixed deadline for ending gas flaring, with exceptions only in rare and well-defined emergencies. They also proposed that gas flaring fines match the market value of the gas, with funds directed to host community initiatives.
The coalition demanded the removal of community responsibility for protecting oil installations and the repeal of laws that criminalize community protests. They called for host communities to control development funds rather than oil companies. Additionally, they requested a comprehensive audit of the environmental, health, and economic impacts of oil and gas extraction in the Niger Delta, referencing the 2011 UNEP Report on Ogoniland, which highlighted extensive pollution and environmental degradation.
The coalition emphasized the need for immediate clean-up and restoration of damaged ecosystems and reparations for decades of harm. They also urged reforms to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the release of its forensic audit report, demanding prosecution of offenders. They stressed that projects should be based on community-approved needs assessments and prioritized completing abandoned projects over initiating new ones.
Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, stated that the campaign aligns with global climate justice efforts and community-centered ecological recovery. He highlighted the foolishness of continuing extraction while promoting clean-up efforts. Bassey pointed out that the primary drivers of the climate crisis are greed and convenience, and the meeting feeds into the demands of frontline communities ahead of COP30 in Brazil. He added that despite low expectations from COP, advocacy and demands must continue.
The 'Yasunise and Ogonise' social media campaign aims to connect local environmental justice struggles in Africa with similar movements in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Other speakers at the event included Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Celestine Akpobari of Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), and representatives from the Edo Civil Society Coalition (EDOCSO) and Gelegele Community. Academic insights were provided by Dr. Ofuani Sokolo from the University of Benin, who discussed 'Gender, Climate Change and Community Mobilisation.' HOMEF's Stanley Egholo and Cadmus Atake-Enade also contributed to the discussions on community voices for climate justice.