The Kallop Humanitarian and Environmental Centre has urged the Federal Government to prioritise renewable energy and phase out fossil fuel operations to curb environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.The group’s Executive Director, Mr Anthony Aalo, made the call during a one-day discussion on the Ending Fossil Fuel Campaign held in Bori, Rivers, on Wednesday.
Aalo said the campaign aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of fossil fuel extraction and promote renewable energy as a sustainable alternative.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to transition to clean energy, describing fossil fuels as globally recognised “dirty energy.”
According to him, resuming oil extraction in Ogoniland would worsen the already degraded environment and harm the health of residents.
“We are in an era where people across the world are campaigning to end fossil fuel extraction in their communities; the Niger Delta, especially Ogoni, should not be an exception,” he said.
He noted that decades of fossil fuel activities in Ogoniland had led to increased health risks and reduced life expectancy.
Aalo urged Ogoni people to actively support the campaign through advocacy and awareness workshops.
Also speaking, Mr Dennis Legbara of the Civil Rights Council stressed the need for the government to embrace clean energy alternatives in line with global best practices.
Also Mrs Melubari Nwiluka, who spoke on behalf of the Ogoni women group, said the campaign was timely considering the adverse effect on the women who depended on farming majorly for survival in the area.
Nwiluka said that the polluted environment had caused low production of farm produce due to lack of cleaner lands to cultivate during the farming season.
