NGOs and Media Professionals Urge Nigerian Government to End Gas Flaring in Ubeji Community
UBEJI/Nigeria: A coalition comprising Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Media Professionals has directed a fervent appeal to His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to halt gas flaring in Ubeji Community. Situated adjacent to the Warri Petrochemical Company in the Warri South local government area of Delta State, this tranquil satellite community has long borne the brunt of environmental degradation caused by relentless gas flaring activities.
The coalition, comprising entities such as Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA) and Web of Support Youth Development Program Nigeria, issued a joint statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. Expressing profound concern over the detrimental impact on both the environment and the health of Ubeji’s inhabitants, the group implored President Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, to take decisive action.
“The Federal Government and its pertinent agencies have regrettably overlooked the plight of the innocent indigenes of Ubeji Community, subjecting them to enduring pollution,” the statement asserted. It underscored the constitutional imperative of ensuring citizens’ security and economic welfare, a duty the current situation in Ubeji woefully neglects.
Highlighting the community’s decades-long ordeal with gas flaring-induced pollution, the statement painted a grim picture of societal disintegration and economic distress. “Though the community remains physically intact, its residents have borne the brunt of pollution-induced hardships, leading to the decimation of families and the dissolution of businesses,” it lamented.
The coalition condemned the ongoing environmental degradation as a flagrant violation of internationally recognized rights to health and a livable environment, which Nigeria is obligated to uphold as a signatory to various treaties and covenants. Moreover, it stressed the adverse repercussions on children’s education, as many have been compelled to flee the community, disrupting their schooling.
In a resolute call to action, the coalition urged the Federal Government, the state government, and the management of NNPCL to swiftly address the crisis and implement measures to mitigate pollution in Ubeji and other affected areas of the Niger Delta region. It emphasized the imperative of providing adequate compensation to victims of pollution, emphasizing that such actions must transcend political considerations and prioritize the welfare of the populace and the integrity of democracy.
As the coalition’s statement concluded, it underscored the urgency of collective efforts to safeguard the well-being of affected communities and uphold fundamental rights in the face of environmental degradation.
