The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to addressing ecological and environmental challenges confronting oil-producing communities.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, gave the assurance on behalf of the government when he received a delegation of royal fathers from Okpe Kingdom, led by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Orhue 1, Maj—Gen—Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), in Abuja.
Sen Akume acknowledged that decades of oil exploitation in oil-producing communities have led to environmental degradation, coastal and gully erosion, flooding, and other ecological challenges, stressing that the government is fully aware of these consequences and has instituted measures to address them.
The SGF assured that his office, through the Ecological Project Office (EPO), will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment to develop a deliberate, strategic response to address the ecological concerns raised by the royal father.
Having commended His Royal Majesty for his meritorious service to the nation in the Nigerian Army, Sen. Akume acknowledges the long-standing and significant role the oil and gas sector has played in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The Government recognises the immense contributions of your great kingdom, the Okpe kingdom, to the economic development of this country. We want to thank you for protecting these oil wells and pipelines. These are great assets that contribute to our country’s economy. We thank you and your leadership for protecting these assets,” Sen Akume said.
The essence of the visit, according to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Orhue 1, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd) was to seek the Federal Government’s intervention to address the ecological challenges facing his communities through shoreline protection, land reclamation, and road improvement works in Ugbokodo, an oil-producing community in the Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
He stressed that despite the strategic role the community plays in hosting some important International Oil Companies (IOCs) and safeguarding the nation’s pipelines, decades of oil exploration and gas flaring have resulted in severe environmental degradation, leaving his people grappling with pollution, shoreline erosion, land loss, and recurrent flooding caused by rivers overflowing their banks, among others.
