By Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe
The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Igbiks Tamuno Says the Niger Delta Region may face extinction sooner than later due to the impact of oil spills and gas flares in the region.
According to the Commissioner, the impact of the degradation of the environment, particularly the eco system of the mangroves along the coastal areas of the Niger Delta calls for a concerted action by not only States government but by all and sundry.
Mr. Igbiks Tamuno who was the Guest of Honor at the Book Launch and Photo Exhibition organized by the Niger Delta Snapshot, an event which held weekend at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, contended that having two constitutional provisions on environment (Federal Government exclusive and states Government Concurrent) would not mitigate negative environmental matters like oil spills and gas flares in the country but would further imperil the environment.
He asserted that the impact of oil spills and gas flares on the environment brought about by old and decaying pipe lines laid more than fifty years ago, particularly on the ecosystem of the mangroves forest along the coastal areas of the Niger Delta calls for a concerted action for a national policy framework on environment applicable to both the federal and states Government.
On the book launch which captures vivid images of environmental degradation and life on the Niger Delta ecosystem, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Rivers State Commissioner for Orientation and information, who was represented by Mr. Celestine Ogolo, a Director in the Ministry, says the book would create the necessary impact on the region as it touches the heart of issues agitating the minds of the people.
The Hon. Commissioner, stated that the regret is that people don’t get to read what is put down in writing even as matters on the environment affects everyone.
A member of the panel of discussants, Barr. Iniruo Wills, former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, agreed that for a sustainable national policy on environment, Niger Delta governors must be bold enough to test the Constitutional provisions on the environment in the Courts otherwise, the fight against infractions by oil companies that pollute the environment from their operations may be short lived.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey of the University of Port Harcourt inform that the country have available data to facilitate a national policy framework for the protection of the Mangroves on the coastal areas of the Niger Delta Region. While Benjamin Azubuike Ekeke, a Professor of Forestry, With the Rivers State University holds that the way forward as the world marks the International Day of the Forest, is for the people of the Niger Delta Region to live in harmony with the mangroves forest as a veritable platform for sustainable livelihood.
As part of the celebration of the International Day of the Forest, the convener of the mangrovesXpo2021, Niger Delta Snapshot, plans a five million tree planting flag off Monday, as it urges all who uses the forest to do so responsibly.