Gentlemen of the Press, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the good people of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Community of Egbema kingdom, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, I welcome you to this press conference on the World Environment Day commemoration by Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community.
Since the 1980s the need for scientific disposal of waste plastic was recognized but, the oil companies operating in Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community have refused to adhere to the practice or identified with these methods compounding the already existing degradation, pollution and deforestation faced in Polobubo. It will interest you to know that plastic is produced using crude materials similar to shield the polymer from degradation by ozone or oxygen, bright stabilizers plasticizer, oil shades, fire retardants that causes biphenyl, harmful to humans and as well as the environment.
As the world commemorates World Environment Day in June 2023 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” which emphasizes plastic waste management, we therefore, call on Federal and state ministries of environment and all other relevant organization to come to our dire environmental crisis facing humanity as a result of indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in our waterway. We also wish to urgently draw the attention of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria Petroleum Development Company/ ElCrest Nigeria Limited JV (NPDC/ElCrest), Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited, Sahara Energy Services Limited, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Delta State Government, and the World to the human and environmental crisis facing our only homeland Polobubo (Tsekelewu). Polobubo, originally a fresh water environment with fresh water ecosystems has been replaced by salt water environment due to the exploration and exploitation of crude oil by companies operating in Polobubo/Tsekelewu community and sister communities.
OUR DEMANDS
1) Adherence to the identified method of plastic waste disposal (Incineration and recycling)
2) Use of bio degradable plastic material by Oil companies operating in Polobubo (Tsekelewu) and sisters communities.
3) Cleaning, remediation and reparation of the environment should be executed for Polobubo community by the federal government of Nigeria, Delta State government, DESOPADEC, SPDC, Chevron Nigeria Limited, NPDC/E1Crest JV and Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited as stated in the 2021 Nigeria Petroleum Industry Act, section
101(2,3) and Chapter 3.
4) Land reclamation and shoreline protection projects should be executed for Polobubo community by the federal government of Nigeria, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Delta State government and DESOPADEC.
5) Canalization and dredging of Opuama-Tsekelewu Creeks by the federal government, Chevron Nigeria Limited and NPDC/ElCrest lV. Chevron Nigeria Limited should add the sweeping/dredging of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) creek to its three (3) years Opuekeba
Production Platform well head slots sweeping/dredging programs and execute same in the next Well Heads Slot Sweeping/Dredging Campaign in 2024 and beyond.
6) Execute sustainable development projects such as internal road networks, housing units, Tree planting and electricity amongst others for Polobubo community by federal government, Delta State government, DESOPADEC, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Conoil Nigeria Limited and NPDC/EICrest IV by 2023.
7) Special budgetary allocation should be made by the federal government, Delta state government, and DESOP ADEC and oil companies for environmental remediation and afforestation programs in Polobubo.
8) The Federal Ministry of Environment and Delta State Ministry of Environment, DESOPADEC should make special visits and investigations to Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community to see things for themselves.
9) Provision of portable drinking water and medical/health facilities & services by federal government, Chevron Nigeria Limited and NPDC/E1Crest IV, and Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited and DESOPADEC.
10) In the interim, NPDC/EICrest IV and Conoil should provide free routine medical outreach services to Polobubo communities before end of2023. Long term solution is the provision of a standard health facility well equipped with staff for Polobubo (Tsekelewu).
11) Zero natural gas flare or vent into the Polobubo environment to prevent pollution and/or execute environmental remediation and relief to Polobubo community (as per the 2021
Nigeria Petroleum Industry Act, section 104 (4) by oil and gas companies operation in Polobubo.
12) Put in place a flora regeneration policy and fauna reproduction policy by the federal government of Nigeria and Delta State government, DESOPADEC and the oil and gas companies operating in Tsekelewu communities.
13)Institute Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project that will collaborate with Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC), Delta state Government, Amnesty office of the Presidency, DESOPADEC, and companies operating within the community to develop a robust empowerment programs for the youths and women in the community.
Elder Anthony Kilete Tiemo
Chairman
Health and Environment Committee
Polobubo (Tsekelewu)
Mr. Clarkson Isene
Secretary
Health and Environment Committee
Polobubo (Tsekelewu)
