By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens-Peter Kjemprud has lamented the devastating effects of oil pollution on human lives and animals in Ogoni land.
The Ambassador said that slow space of the much spoken clean-up exercise is worrisome, warning that the project might not be completed as desired.
He made the observation when members of Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) visited the Norwegian Embassy.
He expressed the support of the Norwegian government for the clean up to bring solution to the suffering of the people.
“We discovered that lifespan in the area is average because the environment has been destroyed and polluted by oil. The people are having health challenge, and they are running out of patience.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Head of Mission, Ingrid Skjolaas, called on the media to visit the sites of the clean up to have first assessment and to give comprehensive reportage of what is happening to the project
Earlier, the Chairman of EMCAN, Chuks Oyema informed the Ambassador that the association was formed to report and deepen the coverage of environmental issues.
He added, “In 2019, Norway increased support to UNEP, it is committed to 30 percent reduction in Green House Gas, GHG emission by 2020, a return to 1990 levels. We want to learn from Norway,” he said.
