Dr Simon Amaduoboha, a University Lecturer has decried poor
attitude to the environment and lack of remediation projects to cushion the
adverse impacts of oil exploration in Niger Delta
region.
region.
Amaduoboha, a Senior Lecturer at Niger Delta University in
Bayelsa stated this on Friday at the opening of a two-day youth training on
environmental laws, rights and conventions in Yenagoa.
He noted that political leaders from the Niger Delta region have
used the environmental degradation to advocate greater share of oil revenue
resulting to the 13 per cent derivation.
He regretted that the political class has been selfish as the
proceeds of the oil derivation have not impacted the environment and oil
communities.
Amaduoboha, who was a resource person at the youth training for
100 youths between the ages of 13 and 20 drawn from the eight Local Government
Areas in Bayelsa urged youths to join the efforts to preserve the environment.
He said that the training would empower the youths with
requisite laws at an early stage to appreciate the need for conservation and
protection of the environment.
He said that there was a need to sensitise the youths on the
adverse impact of using fossil fuels and emission of poisonous gases which
degrade the environment and trigger climate change.
Mr Nosa Tokumbo, a lawyer at Environmental Right Action/Friends
of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said the group was undertaking the project in
three pilot states of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa Rivers and Edo.
He said that the project aims to highlight existing laws that
regulate oil industry activities and strengthena the youths to take steps to
know and protect their rights to a sustainable environment.
Miss Anita Doifie, one of the participants said that the idea of
sensitizing the youths to lead advocacy for the environment was a welcome
development.
“It is good to have the knowledge ad have it grounded so that we
can in the future when we come of age enforce these environmental and human
rights and laws,” Doifie said.
The training featured lecture on fundamental human rights,
environmental laws, treaties and conventions and protocols that relate to the
environment.
No comments:
Post a Comment