Stop Burning our Future – Ibeno Communities Cry out to ExxonMobil
…As PPDF Advocates for Climate Justice
By Ekemini Simon
Oil and gas communities in Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State have cried out to ExxonMobil to show consideration to the lives of their host communities by stopping the continuous flare of gas.
The communities noted that the about six decades of gas flaring in Ibeno has cost them healthy living and destruction of their environment.
Ibeno communities of Okoroutip, Iwokpom and Opolom together with secondary school students in Ibeno made the call on Friday, November 4, 2022 during an environmental rally held at Okoroutip, Ibeno local government area.
The rally which was organised by Peace Point Development Foundation a nongovernmental organisation working to address needs of vulnerable communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria witnessed community members march across the streets in the area to drive home their calls on ending climate injustice and environmental pollution especially by oil multinationals operating in their waters.
According to inscriptions displayed on placards, posters and banners, the community members called on oil and gas companies in the area to ” stop burning our future”.
Other inscriptions displayed are “Break the silence. Break the chain. Climate Justice for all”, ” Pollution is a silent Killer “, “Don’t be greedy. Be greeny”, ” No Restoration, No Divestment”, “Climate Change is inevitable unless we act now”, Poisoning Water is Genocide”, ” we can make our planet great again”, ” Save our environment “, and ” stand up for climate justice “.
Speaking after the rally, the youth leader of Okoroutip community, Nsoh Nsoh noted that the Ibeno communities have been degraded almost beyond repairs due to environmental pollution by ExxonMobil oil exploration hence the need for the companies to stop its pollution and take urgent steps at remediation.
” We are calling on ExxonMobil to stop gas flaring. With these decades of flaring, they are burning our lives and that of the generation to come. It is these pains and the need to raise this consciousness that has made us glad to join this rally organised by PPDF.”
On his part, the Coordinator of Peace Point Development Foundation, Mr. Umo Isua-ikoh expressed displeasure over the height of pollution experienced in Ibeno local government area.
The PPDF Coordinator who warned of the environmental consequences if urgent steps are not taken to halt gas flaring, indiscriminate disposal of industrial and domestic waste said the community has to take lessons from the flooding experienced in various parts of the country as a result of climate change.
He added ” Since the 1960s, ExxonMobil has operated here, flaring gas day and night. Because of these flares together with several oil spills, the people have suffered several illnesses and the waters are no longer giving fish. This sabotage is against nature and the environment. It must be stopped.”
Isua-ikoh called on the communities to be deliberate about monitoring and reporting environmental issues to relevant agencies.
The PPDF Coordinator charged the communities to utilize the training they have received on environmental sustainability together with insight on environmental laws in order to take actions to protect their environment.