The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving cases of environmental degradation in Niger Delta.
The government plans to implement a strategy that involves empowering the people while protecting the environment.
Addressing a stakeholders meeting in Bori area in Rivers State on the United Nations’ Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on the clean-up of Ogoni land, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, said that implementing the UN report remains a top priority of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, had tabled the problems of the people at the meeting with the Minister.
Having met with the people of Ogoni, the Minister proceeded to Yenogoa with the same message of a total clean-up of the area. There, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, lamented over the plights of the people suffering the effects of oil pollution.
Mrs Mohammed said that the Ministry was working on a mechanism that would help it address the problem of pollution in the Niger Delta overall.
The Minister had said at an earlier meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, “This is a protracted issue; an issue that we are now concerned that the pollution is beyond the oil companies. It is one we have to try to understand.
“What are the alternatives for young people and those that are in the community who have been part of these third party breaks?
“We have to put in place something that gives them a future and hope.”
