From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo,
Towards a safer Niger Delta, a civil society organisation committed to poverty and environmental risk reduction has expressed concerns over the widespread gas flaring, methane emissions, environmental degradation and carbon pollution in the Niger Delta.
Towards this end, the Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction, NAPPDRR, has rallied global agencies, including Global Greengrants Fund, GGF, and Oilwatch Africa, OA, in a multi-million dollar energy innovations project in Akwa Ibom State oil communities.
Launching the scheme during a town hall meeting on community-led energy innovation in Esit Eket Local Government Area at the weekend, the Executive Director, NAPPDRR, Emem Edoho explained that the intervention became necessary to mitigate the negative multiplier effects of fossil fuels on humans and the environment.
“Nigeria’s energy landscape is complex, with significant reliance on fossil fuels. However, with the launch of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, NETP, in 2022, our country has committed to achieving net – zero emissions by 2060. This plan aims to tackle energy poverty and the climate crisis simultaneously, promoting renewal energy, improving energy access and enhancing energy efficiency.
“Here in Akwa Ibom State, we are committed to alligning our efforts with the state climate action plan. NAPPDRR is proud to contribute to this effort through our innovative climate action project, Green The Future, GTF. This project was made possible with the generous support of Global Greengrants Fund and Oilwatch Africa. It focuses on mitigating the impact of methane emissions and other greenhouse emissions in oil and gas host communities.
“The GTF project is a community-led initiative that empowers local communities to take ownership of their energy future. By promoting sustainable energy solutions, improving energy efficiency and supporting climate – resilient development, we can reduce the environmental and heath impact of fossil fuel extraction and promote more sustainable future for all,” he said.
In the same vein, the Programme Officer of NAPPDRR, Lady Helen Eyo, who spoke on ‘Green the Future: Accelerating Decarbonisation and Community Resilience in the Hostcom Project,’ said the initiative focused on oil and gas host communities in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Nsikak Ekong, represented by the Director of Petroleum Resources Directorate, Engr Anietie Emah, and the Head of Government and Community Relations at Frontier Oil Ltd, Mr Samuel Atara, among other participants, commended NAPPDRR for the initiative and expressed their support for the project, even as they stressed the need for such initiative to be launched across all the affected communities.
The Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Uduak Ikot, who was represented by the Supervisor for Environment, Ime Jonah, lauded the commitment of non-state actors in the promotion of energy innovations to free the environment of pollution and other irritants with attendant maternal and infant mortalities in the oil communities.
Papers from resources persons drawn from other NGOs, including the Executive Director, Centre for Advocacy, Good Governance and Ecological Response, Mfon Gabriel and Edidiong Dickson of Policy Alert, PA, and others painted a gloomy picture of oil communities devastated by gas pollution, methane emissions and oil spill in the Niger Delta region, and called for a holistic action plan to mitigate the scourge.
