The 3rd Annual Niger Delta Climate Change Conference, hosted by Lekeh Development Foundation, LEDEF, has commenced in Port Harcourt, with key environmental stakeholders brainstorming on the effects of climate change in the region.
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of ‘We the People,’ Ken Henshaw, said that the solution to climate change is multifaceted and those extracting crude and profiting from it are also the primary contributors to the problem.
He proposed a shift away from fossil fuels and urged governments to provide robust support to communities affected by climate change.
“One contribution government need to do to stop climate change is by creating an economy that is independent of fossil fuels and natural gas, but there’s no attempt cause out budget revenue are highly dependent on crude oil” he said.
A member of the legal team from Leigh Day Solicitors representing the Bille and Ogale Communities in their claims against Shell, Mr. Anthony Hayward while highlighting the resilience of the Niger Delta people acknowledged their legal victories and the compensations they have received.
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Mr. Hayward stressed the importance of spreading awareness and demanding accountability, advocating for more participation and similar conferences in the Niger Delta.
“Niger Delta people have been resilient to standing up to Shell, and they need more people and conferences like this mobilizing and spreading the word of climate change and demanding accountability” Hayward said.
The Director of Lekeh Development Foundation and convener of the Niger Delta Climate Change conference, Mr. Friday Barilule highlighted the importance of the event in fostering peace and solidarity within the Niger Delta.
He also called on governments to establish climate change offices at both state and local levels to oversee and manage climate change-related crises.
“Though we have the national council of climate change but they need to bring it down to the state and even to the local level where they have their desk office in each state and local government”
The conference served as a platform to discuss the impacts of climate change on the Niger Delta and to explore strategies for a sustainable future.
