By: Bulou Kosin, Warri.

President, Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, Mr Austin Ozobo rekindled debates at the recent Ijaw Media Conference, with a call on Niger Deltans, governments, and oil companies to prioritize the environment and the well-being of host communities.

Ozobo further noted in his welcome address that for effective advocacy of plight and rights, there was a need to support media outfits owned by Ijaw sons and daughters “who would better tell our stories to counter negative narratives that have been our experience for ages”.

The media conference, convened by IPF and themed “Safeguarding the Niger Delta Natural Resources For Future Generations”, was held at KFT Event Centre, Effurun, near Warri. Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) leader, Amb Dr Godknows Igali, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, and Former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Engr Udengs Eradiri, took part in the discussions.

Ozobo said, “continued oil theft, environmental pollution, deforestation by oil companies and government institutions pose a serious threat to the survival and prosperity of future generations”.

The IPF president emphasized that “oil theft and vandalism constitute loss of collective wealth and deepen the underdevelopment of host communities”.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by Emmanuel Amgbaduba, a former Oil and Gas Commissioner in Delta State, said “strict enforcement of laws like the PIA could reverse ecological harm and protect the environment, which was critical to attracting investments and bolstering security”.

Delivering the keynote address, Amb. Godknows Igali called for grants of licenses to Niger Deltans for modular refineries, thereby placing them as managers of their resources. In what was held out in hushed tones in the hall as a sound solution to illegal bunkering, Igali noted: “It is better to manage resources than being destroyed by government security agencies for environment-polluting bunkering”.

Igali said the Niger Delta boasts many natural resources, namely palm oil, rubber, cotton, etc, and would continue to be relevant beyond oil and gas. Igali, however, insisted there is a better future if we safeguard the environment, maintain peace, and prioritize skilled education, a statement that resonated in the forceful speech of Udengs Era Iri, who, like Igali, commended Dr Dennis Otuaro’s massive scholarship programmes but advised that same be more skills or employability-driven.