Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), has applauded the action by Rivers State Government to address the issues of oil theft and refining of stolen crude oil and the consequent release of soot into the environment.
A statement by the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Dr Godwin Uyi-Ojo, in Benin City, Edo State, said: “Although the current action of the Rivers State Government is a welcome development and respite for the people of the state, more still needs to be done.”
He called on governments of other Niger Delta states to take similar actions by identifying and properly decommissioning all artisan stolen crude oil refining sites in their states to halt self-inflicted destruction of the environment and unnecessary loss of lives.
Uyi-Ojo also called for the development of a holistic framework that addresses both the supply of artisan products and the high demand for the products in communities, which include rising cost of living, unemployment, and severe impact from hydrocarbon pollution on rural livelihoods.
He said: “There is the need for providing alternative income generation sources for these youths to discourage them from the illegal act.
“Governments at all level must, as a matter of necessity, diversify our economy from oil and gas dependence and towards a transition to renewable energy sources such as solar mining, mini-grid and off-grid systems.”