At the 4th Public Annual Lecture organized by First News at the weekend, a former Project Director of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr. Ferdinand Giadom delivered a poignant address centered on the theme “Building a Niger Delta of Our Dream with or without Oil.”
His remarks resonated deeply with attendees as he raised critical concerns about the region’s environmental degradation and the impending challenges posed by the divestment of international oil companies (IOCs).
In his speech, Dr. Giadom stated, “If divestment proceeds at the rate it is going, I’m afraid we will no longer have a Niger Delta of our dreams.”
This striking assertion encapsulated his call for urgent action among stakeholders to safeguard the future of the Niger Delta.
He lamented the extensive damage inflicted on the Niger Delta over the past 75 years by IOCs, describing it as “a Niger Delta that has been mulled, oiled and disoiled.”
He emphasized that the region’s environment has been severely compromised, with its ecosystems ranked among the most negatively impacted globally.
Highlighting the legal obligations surrounding divestment, he urged IOCs to conduct thorough environmental assessments before abandoning oil facilities, stating, “The law is clear, the statutes are very clear, that before divestment would actually take place, there should be an appraisal, evaluation, and assessment of the state of the environment.”
Dr. Giadom also emphasized the responsibility of the Niger Delta people, encouraging them to become “vanguards for protecting the environment.”
He recalled the words of Denise Hall from 1976: “The land is what we borrow from our children and not an inheritance from our fathers,” urging the audience to consider their role in preserving the land for future generations.
As the event celebrated the achievements of First News, Dr. Giadom’s message served as a rallying cry for action and accountability in addressing the pressing environmental and economic challenges facing the Niger Delta.
His closing question, “Divestment, which way forward?” left attendees contemplating the critical path ahead for the region’s sustainable development and environmental protection.