Several Niger Delta groups and academic experts have urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps toward ending gas flaring in the region and reforming the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure transparency and accountability.
The call was made during a conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which focused on the environmental and developmental challenges facing the oil-rich region.
The participants, including environmentalists, traditional leaders, and university scholars, expressed concern that decades of gas flaring have devastated farmlands, polluted water sources, and endangered the health of local residents. They noted that despite numerous government pledges, flaring continues at alarming levels in many host communities. One of the speakers, Dr. Peter Amadi of the University of Port Harcourt, said, “It is time to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people.”
The groups also called for an urgent restructuring of the NDDC to make it more responsive to the needs of Niger Delta residents. They alleged that mismanagement and political interference have hindered the commission’s ability to deliver on its core mandate. According to them, genuine reform and accountability would help restore public trust and promote sustainable development in the region.
During the meeting, representatives of civil society organizations proposed a regional monitoring framework to track the implementation of environmental policies and the performance of the NDDC. They emphasized that local communities should be actively involved in decision-making processes affecting their environment and welfare.
In their joint communiqué, the participants urged the Federal Government to enforce existing anti-flaring laws, invest in cleaner energy alternatives, and ensure oil companies comply with environmental standards. They also recommended that the NDDC prioritize infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects that directly benefit host communities.
They concluded by reminding stakeholders that the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic survival, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved while the environment continues to suffer. “If we truly seek progress, we must treat the region not as a resource field, but as a home to millions who deserve justice and a future,” the communiqué stated.
