A coalition of Ijaw leaders, led by Bayelsa State Governor Sen. Douye Diri, has called for reparation from oil companies for environmental damages in Bayelsa. Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Diri presented the Bayelsa Oil and Pollution Commission’s report, titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria.” The report highlights the severe environmental and human impacts of oil pollution on Bayelsa communities.
Governor Diri emphasized the state’s urgent need for comprehensive remediation measures to address an “estimated 25% environmental burden.” He appealed to the Federal Government for support in implementing long-term solutions to foster sustainable development and strengthen cooperation between the state and federal levels.
Additionally, Diri invited President Tinubu to inaugurate the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road project and launch the Ekeremor-Agge Road project, a key infrastructure initiative to connect Bayelsa to the Atlantic Ocean and bolster the state’s Blue Economy. He recommended applying the Companies Income Tax Road Infrastructure Development scheme to support the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road, which would further enhance regional connectivity.
“Completing these roads will improve access to the Brass terminal, facilitate the transport of agricultural goods, and boost mobility within the region,” Diri said, noting the strategic importance of the Brass Island, home to significant enterprises like the Brass LNG Project and Brass Fertilizer & Petrochemical Company Ltd.
Governor Diri also commended President Tinubu’s commitment to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometer project aimed at linking Nigeria’s southwestern and south-southern states and promoting trade. He requested simultaneous construction from both ends to expedite completion, benefiting Bayelsa and other states along the route.
The governor further appealed for federal support to complete the East-West Road, a critical artery for economic growth in the Niger Delta region, which has experienced significant delays.
Expressing gratitude for the recent appointment of Dame Didi Walson-Jack, a Bayelsa native, as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Diri noted this decision reflects the federal government’s commitment to Bayelsa’s development and national representation. “This appointment underscores our inclusion and reinforces our sense of belonging,” he said, thanking President Tinubu for his continued support and expressing his appreciation in the Izon language, “mbana.”
Source: 9News Nigeria / NAN
