Oil prospecting responsible for flooding, intense heat in Niger Delta - NGO

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) championing the fight against climate change and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, has ascribed incidences of flooding and intense heat in the region to oil mineral extraction activities.

The Executive Director of the centre, Mrs Emem Okon, said this yesterday during a sensitization programme on climate change for the people of Odi community in Kolokuma/ Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa state.

Okon, said the sensitization programme tagged; ‘Women, Oil and Climate Change’ was meant to enlighten the people about the menace of climate change.

She said the people of the region are suffering from the impact of oil mineral extraction which contributes to climate change manifestation such as flooding, intense heat, low crop yield and other issues that affect the society.

She said as part of the measures to assuage the problems and impact of climate change on Nigeria stakeholders have advocated for government’s implementation of the national policy and action plans on climate change.

She added that if local government and community action plans on climate change are implemented it will help to save the environment from damage.

“The climate change sensitization project is to mobilise community actions and government measures to address climate change impact, despite the fact that climate change is a global issue, but local actions are required to contribute to the solutions.

“We hope to use this sensitization forum to add to the voices that are advocating for the implementation of the national policy on climate change. We also demand a state policy if there is none at the moment, local government action plan as well as a community adaptation strategy to mitigate the impacts.’’

Also speaking, a traditional ruler and Amananaowei of Odi kingdom, King Shine Apre, warned against dumping of refuse in the rivers, which he said endangers aquatic lives and causes flooding.