By Mercy Aikoye
The Joint House Committees on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Climate Change say that oil-producing communities in Nigeria have experienced environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalisation sequel to decades of oil exploration and exploitation.
The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Mr. Julius Pondi, revealed this in Abuja during his opening remarks at the public hearing on the need to investigate the service and unprecedented environmental damage within oil-producing communities.
Mr. Pondi, emphasized that despite the laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the Nigerian environment and the established regulatory agencies of the government mandated to address these concerns, the environmental damages in oil-producing communities still persist unabated.
He said it is incumbent on the National Assembly, as the representatives of the people, to identify the erring organizations, hold those responsible accountable, and take decisive action to mitigate the living conditions of the constituents.
The committee chairman noted that the hearing is not intended to witch hunt any company but to have clarity on the matter that has been brought to the attention of the committees and the House of Representatives.
Mr. Pondi, urged all stakeholders present to approach the hearing with an open mind, a spirit of cooperation, and a commitment to the search for the truth.
