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Students Planting trees for environmental sustainability

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Students Planting trees for environmental sustainability

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WOMEN OF OTU-JEREMI CALLS FOR AN END TO GAS FLARING IN THEIR COMMUNITY

"We want and end to fossil fuel extractions" - Women of Otu-jeremi

The decades long extraction of fossil fuels from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has exposed host communities to several forms of environmental pollution that has destroyed the lands, waters and livelihood of the people, thereby creating health challenges and poverty in these host communities.

As part of the African People's Counter COP Assemblies Action, the people of Otu-jeremi community in Delta State has called for an end to Gas flaring and oil pollution in their community, demanding for compensations for the years long damages they have endured.

The women of the community made this know in a One-Day People's Assembly Action organized by Community Development Advocacy Foundation - CODAF, to present the people's perspective on gas flaring and to demand for real solutions in the fourth coming COP 28 to hold in Dubai.

Otu-jeremi community is a host to the largest gas plant station in Nigeria and West Africa, with 3 gas flaring plants located in the community.

While sharing their displeasure on the level of pollution they have suffered, the women complained of health issues such as hypertension, loss of sight, loss of hearing and other ailments caused by the poisonous substances deposited in the environment, polluting the air and water.

They also revealed that the agricultural produce of the community has reduced drastically and the people are in poverty because the pollution has destroyed their lands and chased away the fishes from their waters.

Speaking at the program, the Executive Director of African Center for Environmental and Rural Development, Fred Nohwo spoke on the effects of gas flaring on agriculture, stressing that gas produces acid rain that destroys the pH of the soil, depositing sulphur dioxide and other harmful chemicals that deters the growth and metabolism of plants.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Neferok Foundation, Ayo Nefertiti Okotie stated that despite hosting gas plants and the associated environmental pollution and health hazards suffered by the people of Otu-jeremi, they still have a deep level of energy poverty in the community.

On his part, the Executive Director of CODAF, Benin Richard pointed out that the People's Assembly Counter COP is being held to hear the perspective of the affected host communities and to seek real solutions to the decades long environmental pollution and health hazards caused by fossil fuel extraction in the Niger Delta.

The highlight of the event was a river side action by the women of the community.

Their advocacy messages included a firm call for an end to fossil fuel extraction, to put an end to gas flaring in the community, a demand for environmental justice and sustainable development, a restoration of the ecosystem and the payment of loss and damages caused by extractive activities.

WHAT'S CODAF

CODAF also known as Rural Community Empowerment Initiative (RUCEi) works to bridge the communication gap between policy makers and the grassroots AND raise awareness of rural dwellers and empowering them to be active players in environmental decision making.

This mandate is anchored on article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which states that “All peoples shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development

OurGoal

To engage in intervention projects that builds the capacity and empowers rural community people to defend their collective rights to participating in natural resource governance through a right-based approach

OurMission

OurVision

We envision a self-sufficient community in the management of their environment and resources without any form of marginalization.

Defending Nature