The Federal Government says it is committed to upholding compensations awarded by court judgements relevant to environmental and social justice across the Niger Delta region.
It said this is in recognition of the importance of environmental Justice needed to achieve sustainable development for a peaceful existence.
Speaking during an interactive session on “Stakeholders’ Capacity to Enforce Court Judgements in Nigeria”, organized by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in Port Harcourt, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the judgement will serve as a beacon of the government’s commitment to justice.
Fagbemi, who was represented by Adaeze Udeji, from the Citizen’s Rights Department of the Ministry of Justice, said this can only be achieved not just by the government, but also with the collaborative effort of the private sector, civil society organizations and local communities.
The AGF called on all stakeholders to advocate for the enforcement of court judgements, fair compensation and social welfare, adding that by working together, the legal institution can be life, demonstrating that justice is not merely an aspiration but a reality.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Anthony Ojukwu, recognized that the Niger Delta has been negatively impacted, leading to environmental degradation and health challenges for the local communities.
Represented by the Director, Legal Services and Enforcement Department, NHRC, Rabi Anwar, Ojukwu, added that everybody must come together to ensure that decisions and court judgements that protect and promote justice in the region are complied with and enforced to the letter.
“SERAP’s unwavering commitment to upholding social justice and human rights in the Niger Delta region is truly commendable. For far too long, the Niger Delta region has been negatively impacted by oil exploration.
“This has led to severe environmental degradation and health challenges for the local communities. Oil spills have also destroyed livelihoods in the region, destroying the fishing and farming grounds that are key to economic activity.
“The environmental and social challenges faced by the Niger Delta region have far-reaching implications, not only for the local communities but also for the nation.
“We must come together to ensure that decisions and court judgements that protect and promote justice in the region are complied with and enforced to the letter.
“The Commission has actively engaged with various initiatives to address these challenges. Our collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and other stakeholders in the Environmental Rights Action, ERA, conference highlighted the importance of legal frameworks in ensuring environmental justice.”