𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵!! 𝗙𝗚 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝘀 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻, 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the environmental and humanitarian challenges confronting the Niger Delta, describing the oil-producing region as an area of special concern due to decades of environmental degradation and pollution.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, made the declaration during a multi-stakeholder engagement under the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS) initiative in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Working alongside development partners, including International Alert Nigeria (IAN), the minister visited vulnerable coastal communities such as Iko Town, Edowik, Olokpong, and Emeroke 1 and 2, where residents face the growing threat of ocean surges, coastal erosion, and environmental degradation.

Travelling by gunboats and fishing boats to inspect the affected areas, Dr. Doro expressed concern over the harsh living conditions of fishing communities whose livelihoods have been severely impacted by the destruction of marine ecosystems, oil pollution, and gas flaring.

He noted that the scale of the environmental and humanitarian challenges requires a coordinated response involving the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, and oil companies operating in the region.

The minister assured residents that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to reducing poverty and improving the welfare of vulnerable communities across the country. He also pledged to work closely with the Akwa Ibom State Government, led by Governor Umo Eno, to address the challenges confronting the affected communities.

Dr. Doro further urged oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta to demonstrate stronger corporate social responsibility by investing in sustainable development projects that directly benefit their host communities.

Speaking during the engagement, traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Clan Head of Iko Town, Isaiah Okonko, and the Village Head of Emeroke Kingdom, Chief Joshua Mathew, lamented the increasing threat posed by ocean surges. They appealed to the Federal Government to urgently construct embankments and shoreline protection projects to prevent their communities from being submerged.

Women representatives also called for immediate government intervention, stressing that environmental degradation continues to threaten livelihoods, homes, and the future of coastal settlements in the area.