Oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta adversely affected by years of oil extraction by oil companies operating in their areas have renewed calls for environmental justice and livelihood restoration.
Stakeholders from the communities made the call at a gathering concerned by Spaces for Change (S4C) at Golden Tulip hotel, Ken Saro Wiwa Road, Port Harcourt.
Themed Host Communities’ Appreciation Day, the program brought together representatives of some civil society organizations, rights groups and non-governmental organizations, including Spaces for Change West Africa, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Accountability Lab, Global Rights, BudgIT, and some traditional rulers.
The stakeholders, which also included some disabled persons promoting gender equality and inclusion in their various communities, not only recounted their experiences, activities and success stories in their fight for environmental justice in the Niger Delta with the aid of funding from Ford Foundation but also requested for more action and support towards the quest for environmental justice.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director, Spaces for Change,
Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said the gathering was not only for the celebration of Ford Foundation’s 65th anniversary but also for the resilience of oil and gas host communities in the Niger Delta.
“This occasion brings together not just institutions, stakeholders from government and professionals, but the very heartbeat of our work, the women, men, youth, traditional leaders, persons living with disabilities and grassroots advocates from Nigeria’s oil-bearing communities, whose lived experiences continue to inspire and shape our collective mission,” she added.
The Spaces for Change Executive Director hailed Ford Foundation’s commitment to fostering social justice and supporting communities to fight against oppression.
“For over six decades, the Ford Foundation has stood as a beacon of justice, equity, inclusion and has demonstrated unwavering commitment to advancing social justice, and strengthening community resilience. Its support has enabled organizations like ours to amplify the voices of marginalized population across West Africa, challenge entrenched inequalities, and drive systemic change. Through Ford’s investments, countless initiatives have flourished, strengthened civic participation, advanced environmental justice, natural resource governance, climate justice, promoted gender equity and safeguarded the rights of vulnerable population, ensuring that communities are not left behind as the world moves toward cleaner and more sustainable energy futures,” she explained.
Ibezim-Ohaeri said as part of the success story of their partnership with Ford Foundation, they have worked with host and impacted communities to confront the challenges of extractive industries, environmental degradation, and economic exclusion, noting: “We have seen firsthand how Ford’s support has empowered communities to demand accountability, to organize collectively, and to reimagine pathways to sustainable development.”
Baridam Suanu Timothy, Gbenemene of Bangha Kingdom, Ogoni, said the achievements of the host communities in their fight for environmental justice was creditable to the power of partnership.
“Today as we celebrate Ford Foundation, let us remember the power of partnership. For me, we are celebrating resilience. Let us work towards a future where environmental justice in Niger Delta will be sustainable,” he said.
The program featured five sessions during which discussions on gender equality, disability rights and social inclusion, transparency, FPIC and equitable benefit-sharing in extractive governance, environmental justice, remediation and community health, among others, were held.
