The Environmental Right Action (ERA) has called on lawmakers at the National Assembly to pass laws that will systemize the process for international oil companies’ divestment in the Niger Delta.
Barr Chima Williams, the Executive Director of ERA while speaking to journalists during a virtual meeting on Legislative Pathway on IOC Divestment in Niger Delta, explained that lawmakers needed to develop legislation that will set up milestones and pathways for divestment.
Barr Williams said “we understand the pivotal role that the lawmakers are supposed to do, as part of their responsibilities, we want them to come up with legislation that will set up milestones and pathways for divestment.
“This will include step-by-step activities that every IOC must embark on before they can be allowed to divest.”
He also added that “one of our recommendations is that such a law should have a provision for an environmental restoration bond to be deposited by both the divesting and investing oil companies so that if any environmental problem occurs, the relevant regulatory body will have enough resources to address it and make our environment healthier and safe for people.”
Highlighting the importance of the legislation, Williams noted that “negativity is the price that we are receiving from oil exploration. Livelihoods are destroyed, environmental pollution is on the increase, and this affects women more.
“All the problems that the IOCs have created for the community, citizens and the national purse are alarming. It would have been an easy thing if the international firms were ready to address the problems that they have caused.”
He thereafter added that “we must call out those who are perpetuating those problems in our community to desist from such practices.”
We need to interrogate why the multinationals are leaving. They are not leaving Nigeria, they are only leaving onshore and go offshore where it would be difficult for Nigerians to monitor their activities.
Tijani Abdulkareem, the Executive Director, Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDC) who engaged with ERA/FoEN during a town hall meeting in the North shared that “the social impact of oil exploration has already started to rear its head in these communities. And it is going beyond the Niger Delta region alone.”
Corroborating Chima Williams, Abdulkareem shared that the law, when set up, will address any conflicts that may want to take place in oil-producing communities.
He charged civil society to continue to engage with lawmakers to ensure the needful adding that civil society needs to forge a strategic partnership such that the rights, welfare and well-being of citizens are protected.