Environmental experts have raised alarm that some coastal communities in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region could be wiped out by 2050 if urgent steps are not taken by the federal government, relevant authorities, and law enforcement agencies to implement environmental protection laws.
This warning was the highlight of a learning and sharing workshop on conflict in coastal communities, held in Port Harcourt. The event was organized by Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW) and funded by the European Union. According to participants, the effects of climate change particularly sea level rise and surging tides have led to displacement in many host communities, triggering recurrent land disputes and communal conflicts due to encroachment.
Deputy Director of AAPW, Nkoyo Toyo, stressed the urgent need for the enforcement of environmental laws addressing land encroachment, aquatic biodiversity loss, and climate-induced migration. “The coastal region, spanning several hundred kilometers, is a very vulnerable ecosystem under threat from multiple angles climate change being one of the most pressing.
There’s a direct relationship between environmental degradation and the unregulated practices of oil companies operating in the region. She noted that failure by Nigeria to regulate emissions and enforce environmental standards has worsened the climate crisis in the Niger Delta.“This area is heavily polluted evident from events like the black soot crisis in Port Harcourt and this pollution is impacting water resources and the livelihoods of coastal dwellers,” she added.
Toyo emphasized that environmental degradation is contributing to migration and resource scarcity, which in turn fuels conflict. “When people are displaced, when resources are limited, tension rises. Our theory of change is that if you don’t address environmental and climate issues, you cannot effectively address the conflict, they are interconnected”. She also called for a more holistic approach to enforcement, involving communities, policymakers, and security agencies.
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Pointing out traditional methods of conservation, she noted how local fishing communities have imposed seasonal bans to protect mangroves, but these efforts are being undermined by external migrants backed in some cases by security forces.
The workshop also featured discussions around the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with calls for the law to be leveraged to build infrastructure that can protect vulnerable communities from rising sea levels and flooding. Representing the Rivers State Ministry of Environment’s Climate Change Desk, Nimi Elele echoed the concerns, warning that entire communities may disappear if the government does not act.
“During the rainy season, flooding caused by sea level rise severely affects infrastructure. People are forced to migrate inland, increasing the risk of social issues such as child molestation and sexual abuse. Fishing yields have also declined, leading to poverty and hunger.
“Participants from affected communities across Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers States pleaded for immediate government intervention. They called for intensified public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the causes and consequences of climate change. They also urged the implementation of sustainable environmental policies to safeguard their communities and future generations.
