The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has berated the Federal Government for failing to prepare oil-bearing communities in Bauchi and Gombe states for the potential environmental and health impacts of oil exploration in the region.
RDI made the statement in a press release issued by its Project Officer, Ifeoluwa Adediran.
The position by RDI emanated from a meeting held with community members of the Alkeleri Local Government Area of Bauchi.
The community complained about growing friction between communities in the two states over ownership of the oil wells and also decried growing insecurity plaguing the region.
RDI Project Officer Ifeoluwa Adediran noted that the government has not engaged with the communities since the flag-off of exploration in the host communities.
“It is quite unfortunate that after the fanfare of the government announcement of crude oil exploration exercise in the north, no serious on-ground engagement has happened. Instead, the government is still deceiving the locals about the benefits that oil will bring them,”. She said.
The Niger Delta is a classic example of what oil can do to people and the environment. The discovery of oil along the boundary lines of Bauchi and Gombe State has already created friction and tension among the host communities claiming ownership of oil wells and will increase land grabs and insecurity in these formerly peaceful communities.
Adediran explained that the interactive meeting was an eye-opener as the locals spoke frankly about how the political elites have started creating conflict among the once peaceful communities aside from growing land grabs and the influx of strange people in their communities all interested in what oil would bring.
She said RDI is determined to work with grassroots organisations in the state to deepen their understanding and that of the host communities on issues around their rights and the likely fallouts of oil exploration and gas flaring on their lives and livelihoods.
“We will work with them to ensure they learn from the mistakes of the Niger Delta, where oil has become a curse. They must not be unnecessarily enthusiastic about the promised benefits of oil. Instead, the focus should be on how they can mobilize to ensure they determine what happens in their environment”, she said.