The Niger Delta Stakeholders has intensify its emphasis for the ban of gas flaring and the need for renewable energy in Nigeria.
Several stakeholders and personalities present their views on how exploitation over the years has led to various effects on the people, through the Global Week of Action, just concluded with a town hall forum held in Port Harcourt with the theme, “Kick the Polluters Out,”.
The meeting was convened by Quest for Growth and Development Foundation with participation from traditional rulers, environmentalists, and affected community members among others.
Most of the participants highlighted aspects such as damage to properties, adverse health consequences as well as environmental degradation due to gas flaring, oil spillages, among other environmental hazards with the urgent need to adopt alternative sources of energy.
One of the participants Mrs Comfort Uche Agumagu who is a community leader called for awareness on renewable energy and urged for speedy adoption.
She noted that the danger associated with pollution became evident only at this time and further called for legislation to help clean up other areas apart from Ogonis.
Some speakers emphasized the need for greater government participation and lawmaking to ensure the success of the cleanup project.
Although there were commendations for the efforts taken regarding the Ogoni cleanup project, it was also noted that other nearby communities have not been included.
According to Smith Nwokocha, coordinator of the organization, one of the objectives of this conference is to provide grass-root organizations an opportunity to voice their opinions.
Nwokocha further stated that the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is vital both environmentally and socially.
People have become impatient, and it was time for something to be done.
