Niger Delta Fishers Resolve to Engage Regulators over oil pollution, piracy, livelihood threat
By Unyime Okon
Fishers from coastal communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have resolved to formally engage key government regulators over oil pollution, sea piracy and rising operational costs threatening their livelihoods in the Niger Delta.
The resolution was reached on 27 March during an exchange visit involving fishers from Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State and Eserebom community in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. The visit featured inspections of beach landing sites and fish drying facilities in Ibeno.
Participants agreed to approach the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the environment ministries in both states to demand urgent intervention on oil spills, environmental degradation and the destruction of mangroves.
The engagement was part of a “Community Rights Defenders” project implemented by Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF) in collaboration with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, aimed at promoting environmental justice and sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities.
Fishers said the decision followed years of worsening conditions linked to oil exploration and insecurity on the waterways.
A veteran fisher, Omotoye Julius, who has operated in Ibeno since 1960, said oil activities have restricted access to productive fishing areas and damaged marine ecosystems.
“There are areas with plenty of fish, but security operatives warn us not to go near because of oil installations. The Navy does not allow us to fish close to these facilities,” Mr Julius said.
He said oil spills frequently destroy fishing gear and aquatic life.
“The oil spoils our nets and kills the fish. Sometimes, we stay up to three months without catching anything. It also flows into the mangroves and destroys fish eggs. During these periods, we fall into debt,” he said.
Mr Julius criticised what he described as weak responses to oil spills.
“We rarely see proper clean-up. Most times, companies and authorities leave it to natural tides to wash the oil ashore,” he said.
He also linked gas flaring to increased water temperatures, forcing fish to migrate farther offshore and raising the cost of fishing.
“We now spend more on fuel to reach deeper waters where flare effects are less,” he said, while calling for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and renewed government support for fishers.
Insecurity on the waterways also featured prominently in the discussions.
Another fisher, Wole Ayeye, said sea piracy has made fishing more dangerous and expensive.
“Sea pirates seize our engines and sometimes kidnap fishers for ransom. They demand between N2 million and N5 million,” he said.
He added that fear of attacks has limited access to fishing grounds, reducing catch volumes.
“We cannot explore freely because of fear. It reduces our catch,” he said.
Mr Ayeye said fishers now pay for security escorts during fishing expeditions, even as the cost of fuel continues to rise.
“For every trip, we buy about 140 litres of fuel at N1,500 per litre. That is what we spend daily, yet we still pay taxes to the community,” he said.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Eserebom, Obonganwan Elizabeth Akami-eyo, attributed declining fish stocks to environmental degradation, particularly the destruction of mangroves.
“The destruction of mangroves for firewood and timber is exposing fish breeding grounds to damage,” she said. “Irresponsible disposal of oil from dismantled ships along the shoreline also affects fishing.”
She stressed that communities in both states face similar challenges and must work together to address them.
The Coordinator of PPDF, Umo Isua-Ikoh, said the exchange visit was designed to strengthen collaboration and empower fishers to demand accountability.
He urged participants to apply lessons from a recent stakeholders’ dialogue on building community rights defenders in the Niger Delta.
Mr Isua-Ikoh added that the communities’ inclusion in the FishNet Alliance would provide a platform for collective advocacy against harmful fishing practices and pollution.
“Through this alliance, fishers will gain more knowledge on protecting their livelihoods and demanding accountability,” he said.
The fishers said their planned engagement with regulators would focus on enforcing environmental laws, improving oil spill response, protecting mangroves and addressing insecurity on the waterways.