Bayelsa is one of Nigeria's most polluted states, says environmentalist

Nnimmo Bassey, the director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), says Bayelsa is one of Nigeria's most polluted states. This is due to the hydrocarbon extraction connected to the oil and gas industry.

Mr Bassey, a well-known environmentalist, shared this during a capacity-sharing event with the people of Nembe on Thursday. The event took place in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

He pointed out that Bayelsa is not just one of the most polluted states in Nigeria but also possibly in the world. He referenced the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission Report from May 2023, which showed that oil pollution levels reached 1.5 barrels of crude oil per person.

Mr Bassey also mentioned the environmental study of Ogoniland done by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This study highlights the serious effects of oil pollution in the Niger Delta.

He accused oil companies of not cleaning up polluted areas properly. He claimed that some companies only did superficial work instead of real cleanup.

"The environmental assessment of Ogoniland was commissioned by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2006 and carried out by UNEP to determine the scale, impact, and long-term consequences of oil pollution in Ogoniland, Rivers," he noted.

"The assessment, done between 2009 and 2011, is one of the most extensive environmental studies ever done in an oil-producing area," he added. Mr Bassey explained that the investigation included thorough scientific fieldwork in the four Ogoni local government areas: Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme. It also involved lab analysis and community consultations.

He urged oil companies to stop what he called the systematic destruction of the Niger Delta. He said the region has been treated like a "sacrificial zone" since the early 1950s.

Mr Bassey expressed sadness over the harmful effects of oil and gas extraction. He mentioned massive deforestation and different types of erosion affecting land and coastlines. He acknowledged that the term "environmental genocide" used to describe the situation is serious but should not be ignored.

Godson Jim-Dorgu, the Head of Administration in Nembe Local Government Area, also spoke. He said the area has suffered greatly from oil spills caused by oil companies over the years.

He noted that oil pollution has badly impacted fish and farm produce. This has increased the hardship faced by residents of Nembe, which he called one of the worst-hit areas by oil spills.

Mr Jim-Dorgu urged the federal government and oil companies to start cleaning up areas damaged by oil exploration and production. He mentioned the Santa Barbara oil spill, which lasted about six months, and said there has been no proper cleanup since then. He added that this has harmed aquatic life.

Jude Pulemote, the Director of Primary Health Care in Nembe LGA, said oil exploration has caused health issues for rural residents. He revealed that many pregnant women in Nembe are suffering from anaemia. He also mentioned that oil activities have disrupted livelihoods in host communities.

Mr Pulemote called on the federal and Bayelsa governments to take proper steps to address the challenges in Nembe. He described it as one of the communities most affected by oil exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta.