The Indigenous Peoples of the Niger Delta, impacted by the activities of oil exploration companies, have unanimously declared and demanded for urgent and transformative action to address the climate crises and environmental degradation occasioned by oil exploration.
Newsmen report that the demand was made at the “Summit of Indigenous Peoples held on April 10 at Ori Oke Iwamimo, Ilaje LGA, Ondo State.
The Convener of the Summit, Prince Israel Orekha, said that the theme of the Summit, “Addressing Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas Exploration on Local Communities in Nigeria, Niger Delta, Region, is crucial to addressing age long injustice to the peoples of the Niger Delta.
Orekha, who is also the the Executive Director of Connected Advocacy for Empowerment & Youth Development Initiative. said that the Summit , which is a Peer to Peer Climate Action towards COP 30, has three critical focus, Climate Justice, Accountability and a Just Transition.
Stakeholders and participants at the Summit urged the government, corporations, and international bodies to uphold the principles of justice, equity, and sustainability in all climate actions and policies.
“We stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and communities whose ancestral lands like ours have been ravaged by the greed of extractive industries, particularly oil and gas.
“Our voices, experiences, and traditional knowledge must be at the heart of any solution to the climate crisis,” Stakeholders at the Summit affirm.
The following resolutions were made at the end of the Summit: “We acknowledge the historical exploitation of Indigenous lands and peoples by the fossil fuel industry, particularly the oil and gas sectors, which have caused irreparable harm to our ecosystems, water sources, and the health of local populations.
“We call for an end to the unjust extraction of natural resources that has led to the loss of our biodiversity, destruction of our sacred sites, and widespread displacement of our local communities; if no action is taken, very soon this community might be lost .
“We demand that governments and corporations be held accountable for the environmental degradation and social harm caused by their actions.
“In particular, we call for the immediate cessation of harmful practices such as gas flaring, oil spills, and deforestation, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and youth.
“Corporations that profit from these exploitative practices must be legally required to compensate affected communities and restore damaged environments.
“We call for the full recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights, including the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), in all matters related to land use, natural resource management, and climate action.
“Indigenous peoples’ traditional ecological knowledge must be incorporated into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
“We demand the establishment of legal frameworks that protect Indigenous lands from destructive industries and ensure their participation in all decision-making processes.
“We demand a just energy transition that places people before profits. This transition must prioritize renewable energy solutions, such as solar, wind, and community-based bioenergy projects, which are sustainable, equitable, and beneficial to local communities.
“A just transition must also ensure that fossil fuel workers and affected communities are not left behind but are supported through green skills sustainability training, reskilling traditional knowledge, and economic diversification into green jobs and sustainable investment for local communities.
“We call for adequate and equitable financing for climate action in vulnerable communities, particularly in our regions that have been severely impacted by climate change and extractive industries.
“Developed nations must honor their climate finance commitments, ensuring that financial resources are directed to Indigenous-led and community-based initiatives.
“We also call for the establishment of a reparations fund to compensate communities for the harms done by oil and gas extraction and other extractive industries.
“We urge the international community to strengthen and accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to ensure that climate adaptation and resilience programs are prioritized for the communities most affected by the climate crisis.
“We also call for stronger mechanisms for enforcing compliance with international climate commitments, and not run away in the middle of negotiations, this will ensure that the most affected populations are protected and supported.
“We affirm the role of Indigenous leadership in guiding the world toward a just and sustainable future.
“We call for global solidarity in supporting Indigenous movements and environmental defenders, recognizing the importance of cultural preservation, land sovereignty, and the protection of sacred ecosystems.”
