NDDC adopts integrated strategies for a safer Environment

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stressed the importance of adopting integrated approaches for the sustainable restoration of the region’s ecosystem. Onuoha Obeka, the NDDC Director of Environmental Protection and Control, shared this in a statement issued on Tuesday by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs.

Obeka made these remarks during a one-day stakeholder engagement organized by the Niger Delta Consultative Forum in Port Harcourt. He emphasized the collective dedication of Niger Deltans to revitalizing and preserving the region’s rich ecosystem. He noted that the Niger Delta, known for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, faces severe environmental challenges, including oil spills, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change. As a result, the need for practical, integrated strategies to address these issues is more urgent than ever.

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He highlighted that the Niger Delta Consultative Forum was established in 2021 to support the UN’s 2020-2030 Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. The forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, where experts from various fields, including environmental scientists, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates, can share ideas and experiences. Obeka expressed hope that the discussions would lead to the development of actionable strategies that align with a shared vision for a sustainable Niger Delta.

In his remarks, the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonda, emphasized the importance of the environment in all human activities, noting that every action has an environmental impact. He encouraged introspection in dealing with the environment and called for solutions that would sustain it for future generations. Ogbonda also recommended periodic environmental assessments and stressed the need for collective efforts to preserve the environment.

Delta State’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Jamani Ejiro, expressed appreciation for the NDDC’s leadership in environmental restoration. He pointed out that the stakeholders present had a critical role in addressing the root causes of environmental degradation, such as gas flaring and illegal crude mining. Ejiro called for stricter laws to tackle pollution and protect vital infrastructure. He also highlighted the importance of targeted interventions to address natural disasters like flooding through measures such as desilting drains, coordinated dredging, and curbing illegal construction along waterways. He urged adherence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is being implemented by the Governor of Delta State, Sherriff Oborevwori.

The Imo State Commissioner for Environment, Major Emenike, also contributed by emphasizing the importance of educating the public, planting trees, and taking preventive actions against environmental degradation. He advocated for afforestation, public awareness campaigns, urban renewal, and measures to prevent oil and gas spills, stressing that a mindset shift is necessary to positively impact the environment.