Stakeholders Want Policies To Check Pollution In N’Delta

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region are seeking policies to end the incidence of black soot and other forms of pollution in the area.
This was part of the resolutions at the 2018 Annual Strategic Leadership and Governance Platform organised by the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria, Rivers State chapter in Port Harcourt.
The event had as its theme: “Critical Environmental Challenges in Rivers State: Exploring Strategic Solutions.”
The stakeholders, drawn from various sectors of the economy also called for the legalisation of artesenal refinery in the region to stem the incidence of oil theft.
National President of the institute, Dr. Emma C. Oyeka said that long years of oil exploration in the Niger Delta has led to negative environmental consequences on the region.
Dr. Oyeka said the situation has led to acute biodiversity losses while activities associated with oil theft have contributed significantly to environmental degradation in the region.
According to him, the region is also suffering from incessant deforestation, poor road network and reckless sand dredging .
Also speaking state Chairman of the institute, Mr. Anthony Agbakwuru said that the level of environmental degradation of the region requires the effort of all stakeholders to solve.
He said the seminar was part of the contributions of the institute to address the issue of environmental degradation in the region.
“We all know that our environment is not very healthy but what many of us do not know is the extent to which we are exposed to serious environmental challenges.
The institute of strategic management has, as part of her contribution to the society gathered experts from different walks of life to educate us all and help proffer strategies for solving this challenge” he said.