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Following the rising cases of oil spills and its effects on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region and its Environment, an NGO, the stakeholders alliance for corporate accountability (SACA) has promised that it would facilitate the sending of petetions by children of the region to the Embassies of foreign oil exploitation and exploring companies in Nigeria,to seek for an end to the menace associated with spills.
National Wire learnt this from the Executive Director of SACA,Mr Kingsley Ozegbe,at a two day programme, tagged: ‘Child Safeguarding policy development forum’ organized by the NGO in partnership with the Bayelsa state Ministries of Education,Environment and Health as well as the Catholic Education board and the national association of proprietors of private schools(NAPPS),in Yenagoa,the Bayelsa state capital.
He noted that the adverse effect of spillages in the Niger Delta region can not be overemphasize, stating that children are the worst affected victims of oil spills.
Ozegbe identified vandalism as a major cause of oil spillages, saying equipment failure on the part of oil majors can not also be over ruled.
He described poverty as another contributing factor to vandalism and oil caused Environmental hazards.
National Wire gathered that the ‘Child safeguarding policy development forum’ would be rounded off today,Wednesday,14th July,2021.
Also speaking,the Bayelsa state chairperson of NAPPS,Dr Christiana MacDonald,who doubles as chairman of the SACA’s project management committee(PMC),represented by the secretary of NAPPS, Mr Ugosough Richard thanked the NGO for the partnership, saying it would yield the expected results.
In his speech, the state commissioner for Environment, Gbaranbiri Iselema, represented by the Director, climate change of the Ministry, Mr Wakedei Ere, promised government would continue partnering the NGO,assuring that government was desirous of achieving an hazards free environment, especially from spills.
Major highlights of the event were seminar topics entitled ‘understanding child safeguarding’ delivered by Mr Okusaga Raphael,child safeguarding officer, St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, West Africa and the representatives of the Bayelsa state Ministry of Health,Dr. Wilcox Izibeya,Mr Jeremiah Dangana,assistant Director pollution, Ministry of Environment.
The trio identified child abuse and neglects as key factors which exposes children to Environmental pollution caused by oil spills.
Dr Wilcox who also consults for the NGO stated that medical investigations carried out by SACA in a recent study of oil spill affected communities in the state revealed that the rate of ailments have been on the increase since the spill occurred,in comparison to their health status before the spillages.
Wilcox stated that abnormalities and diseases associated with oil spill apart from from the discovered increase of no fewer than 38% neonatal mortality rate include,chest infections,shurred speech,headaches, cough,watery stool,vomiting, breathlessness,miscarriages, premature labour and allergic reactions.
The SACA consultant also hinted that other diseases and abnormalities include,congenital heart defect, hydrocephalus, Omphalocele, anencephaly,anaemia,cancer and chronic obstructive airways.
