From Douglas Blessing, Port Harcourt
To ensure a clean environment and sustainability of livelihood, a non-governmental organisation, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), at a 3-day sensitization programme for Eteo community in Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, sensitised them on how to peacefully swek environmental justice and secure their livelihood without violence.
The programme titled “Cycles of Reflection Meeting with Community Farmers to Better Understand Issues of Land Grabbing”, witnessed the presence of representatives of various villages in Eteo community, especially those recently affected by oil spill in the area.
Speaking at the event, representative of HOMEF, Mr Stephen Oduware noted the impact of oil spill, saying the idea of the meeting was to build “community resilience, resistance and so they would be able to work in unity, and get the justice that they deserve”.
He said: “We are here in Eteo community to see that they have sections of reflection on certain aspect of what community people should know in order for them to come together to push for that which they really deserve, to push for a healthy and clean environment, for their well-being and livelihood justice.
“Most of these communities pay the heavy price for the exploration and exploitation of crude oil.
“They pay with their health, livelihood, almost everything because they are bombarded from the air, with gas flaring, from the land with pollution in their farm and even pollution on water.
“Above that we also that the life expectancy in Niger Delta has reduced because of these issues.
On his part, the Coordinator of Oilwatch, Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the sensitisation centered around solidarity, looking at how to strengthen community relationships, especially in ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.
One of the participants, Gabriel Kaa-Oloyin, who spoke with The AUTHORITY, expressed delight that such programme HOMEF trained them “to come together, work together for a common interest”.
Expressing one of the terrible experiences the community had recently on oil spill, he said “recently, the pipeline of NNPC spilled oil in our community, yet the company has tight security.
“The damage went from the pipeline through the forest, our farmlands into the sea to Onne, killing fishes. It destroyed our source of livelihood,” he lamented.
