Though the discovery of Oil in Bauchi State is of tremendous benefit to the state and its people, it has been stressed that much need to be done to avert the effects of oil exploration and extraction on the environment.
The assertion was made by an Environmental Human Rights Non Governmental Organization Environment Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) during a one day engagement in Bauchi.
It emphasized the need for both governments and oil host communities to take precautionary measures to protect the environment and its ecosystem from the effects of oil exploration.
Executive Director of the Organization, Chima Williams stated this at a Townhall meeting on International Oil Companies (IOC) divestment from the Niger Delta and Oil in the North held for CSOs, the Media and Human Rights groups.
Represented by Tijjani Abdulkareem, the Executive Director noted that oil exploration has the tendency of destroying the ecosystem, source of drinking water and even the health of the people.
According to him, “Oil has been found in your community and you all must be jubilant and expectant, it’s same with how people in the Niger Delta felt but today what is the situation” ?
He added that, “There is oil spillage, polluted water, effect on the marine ecosystem and many more”.
Chima Williams also said that the townhall was to build voices around the issues of environmental rights for Bauchi communities where oil exploration is taking place.
It was also to bring the experience of the Niger Delta to Bauchi for the communities to understand the issues of divestment going on, issues of social injustice and effects on the environment.
He stressed that, “This meeting was to provide a platform for the Media and CSOs to interface and discuss issues that this oil exploration has brought to the forefront for conversation to help tackle these issues”.
He then urged the stakeholders to begin to create awareness in host communities for them to understand the operations of the oil companies and how they can work to protect their environment.
In a presentation on Oil divestment in the Niger Delta and Oil in the North, the Lead facilitator, Tijjani Abdulkareem said that oil exploration in the North could lead to environmental pollution and endanger wildlife, especially around the Yankari Games Reserve.
The participants resolved that there is the need for all stakeholders to organize themselves and speak with one voice, push for the implementation of existing laws and policies around oil exploration as well as work with host communities to know what is there for them.
