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NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA HELD AT RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, 25TH - 28TH FEBRUARY, 2007

Communique


BACKGROUND
Nigeria as a developing country is faced with constantly evolving development challenges resulting from inappropriate management of the environment. In a regime of increased exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including oil and gas, with the attendant environmental impacts arising from gas flaring, oil spillage, displacement of communities, unsustainable livelihoods of the population, widespread poverty and poor state of infrastructure, the challenge of Mr. President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR to the nation's institutions of higher learning to propose strategies of managing the wealth of the nation sustainably becomes apt. This underscores the recommendation of the Technical coordinators of the Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in Africa to hold a National Workshop on the theme "Environmental Degradation and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria" at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from the 25th and 28th of February 2007.

The Workshop was organized by the Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in Africa (AESEDA) under the auspices of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the nine Universities, participating in the AESEDA International Research Collaborative Project. The Workshop was attended by over 150 Participants from all the AESEDA Universities, Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Hosing and Urban Development, Research Institutes in the Niger Delta Region, NGOs, the Press and Post Graduate Students among others.

The Workshop was organized in six sessions comprising the opening ceremony, three technical/plenary sessions, excursion and closing session.

The objectives of the Workshop were to:
  • Understand the current state of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region;
  • Engage stakeholders and academics in the development of strategic plans for the sustainable management of the environment and livelihood issues in the Niger Delta Region;
  • Understand the dynamics and impact of changes in the environment on livelihoods;
  • Enhance better understanding of existing gaps in the legal and institutional framework for socially responsible corporate practice of companies operating in the Niger Delta Region.
While declaring the Workshop open, the Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, CFR represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius A. Okojie lauded the establishment of AESEDA Nigeria, especially as it will seek to progressively complement the efforts of government through capacity building and research, relying on the vast international network under the AESEDA International project.

The lead paper titled "Environmental Degradation Control and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Niger Delta" was presented by the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Celestine O.E. Onwuliri. In the paper, Pro Onwuliri reviewed the various environmental degradation problems that have compounded sustainable livelihoods and development in the region since the advent of oil exploration in the 1930s.

He recommended synergetic roles for the main stakeholders': Government, Oil Industry and the Host Communities as panacea for development in the region.

Twenty technical papers were delivered by distinguished scholars, experts, top research scientists, community leaders on the theme of the Workshop. All the papers effectively highlighted various dimensions of the environment and sustainable livelihood problems in the Niger Delta Region.

After the plenary presentations and extensive discussion on the theme, participants declared as follows:

We, the participants, at the National Workshop on "Environmental Degradation and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria" held at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, from 25th - 28th February, 2007:

Recalling the concerted efforts of successive Federal Governments since 1993 to improve the state of the Environment, Infrastructure and Livelihoods in the Niger Delta Region through the establishment of necessary institutional structures such as: The OMPADEC, NDDC, 13% derivation formula, legislation on stoppage of gas flaring by 2008, among others;

Appreciating the support of International Development Partners, and in particular, the Government of the Netherlands, the United Nations and Oil Companies in the funding of crucial students on the state of the Environment in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria; Noting the lack of appreciable improvements in the people's poverty level, unrest, and steady depreciation of environmental and livelihoods resources in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria;

Further noting that lack of political good will and commitment to the development of the Niger Delta Region, through grossly inadequate funding and poor resource management, constitute the bane of its current underdevelopment;

Appreciating the deplorable conditions of the Niger Delta communities and the need to fast track strategies for mitigating the environmental crises in the Region. Consequently, do hereby agree on the following Resolutions and Framework for Priority Actions:

RESOLUTIONS
We resolve that:
  • The Federal Government should establish a National Institute of Environmental Studies and Sustainability in the Niger Delta Region.
  • The Federal Government should strengthen its Niger Delta development strategy through the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Niger Delta to be located in the Region.
  • The Federal Government should regularly improve legislation and enforcement of various environmental protection laws in respect of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.
  • The AESEDA should be actively involved in capacity building, data collection and analysis, through a coordinated national research effort on environment, livelihoods and resource management.
  • The Niger Delta development policies should be gender and youth sensitive in the provision of adequate educational facilities, training and the creation of job opportunities as well as greater empowerment for women and youths in the area;
  • Development of structures for the establishment of stakeholders' forum at the local, state and regional levels.
  • State and Local Governments, Community and Opinion Leaders in the Niger Delta Region should demonstrate more sensitivity to the problems of the development of the environment through accountable and transparent fund management, project initiation and execution .
  • There should be greater involvement of the host communities in the design and execution of projects meant for them. This approach gives the communities a greater sense of ownership of such projects.
  • The AESEDA Nigeria Office should promote active partnership with relevant government agencies such as PTDF, NNPC, NDDC, other Federal and State Ministries, Local Governments, and oil companies among others through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding for high level technical support in capacity building and research.
  • AESEDA Nigeria should approach international development partners including UNDP, UNEP, USAID, CIDA and the government of the Netherlands among others for support in establishing research linkages and collaboration for the sustainable management of the Niger Delta Region.
  • Finally, Government at all levels should promote access to sustainable land, housing, transportation and health in the Niger Delta Region.
Signed
Prof. Muhammed Daniyan , Prof. S. C. Teme
National Project Director Working Organizing Committee
Prof. Julius A. Okojie
 
 
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