Bayelsa government and NGOs join forces to fight air pollution

The Bayelsa Ministry of Environment and civil society groups in the state are calling for better teamwork to fight air pollution and protect the environment.

They made this request during a meeting for stakeholders organized by the ministry on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this collaboration aims to boost local efforts for monitoring and managing air pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hamilton Ekeke, confirmed the ministry’s commitment to work with stakeholders to protect Bayelsa’s environment.

The meeting allowed stakeholders to identify weaknesses in environmental monitoring and responses, especially in oil-producing areas.

Worry over pollution-related deaths

Participants raised concerns about the World Health Organisation’s estimate that air pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths every year worldwide.

Menidin Egbo, coordinator of the Community Environment and Development Network, said air pollution monitoring should have been part of the oil spill damage assessments since the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was set up in 2006.

Mr Egbo added that regular reviews of NOSDRA’s operations with relevant stakeholders could have helped boost local technologies to tackle air pollution.

“Such efforts could also have addressed soil degradation, water pollution, and the destruction of forests and crops linked to oil spills,” he said.

Ikechukwu Ahaka from the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative said building skills for stakeholders and government bodies is essential for better responses to air pollution.

Mr Ahaka mentioned that his organization is promoting and installing air quality monitoring devices that use open-source technology to check air pollution in the Niger Delta.

He said this initiative aims to empower local groups to monitor air quality and combat pollution in affected areas.

“Media Awareness and Justice Initiative is also raising public awareness and building local skills to gather data on particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.

“The pollutants threaten air quality, human health, and the safety of ecosystems,” he said.

Ethel Onyimbo, president of the Oloibiri Women Association, praised Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa for supporting joint efforts to tackle environmental pollution in the state.

Ms Onyimbo said stronger partnerships among stakeholders would enhance actions against air pollution through consistent grassroots efforts.

She referred to Bayelsa’s government decision to host the governance secretariat of DeltasUnite, a global initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable delta environments, as proof of the state’s dedication to environmental protection.

She also recalled Governor Diri’s involvement in talks on China-Africa cooperation in river, coastal, and delta governance at East China Normal University in Shanghai.

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These discussions occurred during the opening of the 5th United Nations Ocean Decade Conference on Mega Deltas.

Ms Onyimbo stated that this cooperative approach to safeguarding delta ecosystems should also apply to tackling air pollution through community-driven efforts.

She expressed worry that developing countries carry a heavier health burden related to air pollution.

She added that women and children, including unborn babies, are especially at risk from the harmful effects of outdoor air pollution.

The stakeholders urged continued cooperation between government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities to strengthen air pollution monitoring and control efforts.