From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) said it will not relent in its efforts to challenge the activities of oil multinationals to speak up on environmental rights violations and issues of environmental degradation in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.

This was stated at the opening of EDEN office in Ughelli, Delta State as part of its efforts to take environmental activism, environmental justice, climate justice and environmental protection to the needed communities in Delta State and its environs.

Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director of EDEN, Alagoa Morris stated that the Niger Delta region is one of the most polluted places in the world, without an environmental legislature to protect the people.

According to him, EDEN is invested in protecting the common interest of the people, through environmental rights protection, the demand for climate justice, reparation, remediation and payment of loss and damages for affected communities.

He revealed that data and information on oil spill issues in the Niger Delta collated by EDEN and its staff in the environmental struggle has facilitated several litigations against oil multinationals, and drawn the attention of the world to the environmental issues in the Niger Delta, with data collection as a tool in environmental field monitoring, that facilitates efforts towards environmental protection and development.

Alagoa also pointed out that the UNEP report which has facilitated the Ogoni cleanup should be implemented in all oil producing areas in the Niger Delta, and should be backed up with an environmental report, as recently carried out by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment.

While delivering the Philosophy of EDEN, Director of Climate Justice and Energy of EDEN, Ubrei-Joe Maimoni Mariere stated that EDEN was founded with the intention of bridging the gap left behind by ERA in the environmental struggle, to fight against corporate impunity on the environment, climate injustice, environmental/ human right abuses against the people, linking the environmental struggle to world struggle.

He added that Delta is one of the states where pollution is happening silently, and the people are subjected to untold levels of environmental and human rights abuses.

He pointed out that EDEN is open to collaborate with CSOs, communities and other stakeholders to expose oil spillages and environmental degradation in Delta State.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh who was represented by the Acting Director of Center for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede acknowledged the gap between environmental research conducted by the academia and the role of advocacy in environmental protection. He appreciated the presence of EDEN in Delta State, as the environmental issues in the state and the Niger Delta at large is critical and deserves every attention required, according to the SDG goal 17 that speaks on partnership.

He pledged the university’s support and collaboration in ensuring environmental justice, advocacy and protection.

On her part, the Councillor of Ward 17 in Ughelli local government area, Hon. Florence Ediruo who represented the chairman of Ughelli North expressed her gratitude to EDEN for seeing it necessary to champion the course of the common people as relates to the environment.

She drew attention to the disturbing issues of land grabbing in Delta State by suspected herdsmen, which could lead to food shortage and human right abuses in the future. She also pledged the support of the local government council in environmental and human rights protection.