The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared its readiness to work with the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) in addressing oil spills, mining impacts, waste and other environmental issues bedeviling the state.
This conclusion was reached by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources when the EDEN team led by Executive Director, Chima Williams, paid a courtesy call on the ministry in Uyo.
Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, who led the delegation, expressed his sympathy for the people of Ibeno and other victims of oil spills in the state, due to the negligence of the extractive industry.
Williams pointed out that EDEN is interested in ensuring environmental safety and environmental protection through collaborative efforts, and that the organization promotes environmental friendly laws around mining, waste management systems, and other issues that safeguard the environment.
While calling for stringent laws against multinational companies that are guilty of environmental pollution, Williams called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to adopt the penalty of revoking the Certificate of Ownership on the properties of extractive companies found wanting, as a deterrent against careless operations and disregard for host communities .
Also speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Executive Director of EDEN, Alagoa Morris drew the attention of the Ministry to the UNEP report that facilitated the clean-up of Ogoni land, as other states like Bayelsa have already developed an Environmental Report on the impacts of oil and gas in the state.
He further stressed that the Ogoni cleanup is only an entry point that is supposed to be replicated in the entire Niger Delta region with records of legacy spill incidents like the recent Ibeno oil spill.
Responding, Mrs. Iquo Abia, the Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, who received the delegation on behalf of the Commissioner, commended EDEN for its work and resilience towards the environment. She revealed that the Ministry would collaborate with EDEN in the areas of interest.
She also gave insight into some actions that have been taken by the ministry and the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) to determine the cause of the spill in Ibeno, even as she revealed that the ministry would engage stakeholders on actions to be taken.
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