–  CSO Demands effective remediation efforts, greater accountability from IOCs, FG A recent report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has highlighted the severe impact of oil and environmental pollution in Bayelsa State, one of the oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region. The report, titled “Report of On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria,” provides a detailed account of the detrimental effects of frequent oil exploitation, spills and pollution in Bayelsa. The findings reveal a significant reduction in agricultural productivity, increasing contamination of water resources, and loss of biodiversity, leading to long-term ecosystem damage and the disappearance of traditional medicinal plants. The comprehensive survey, which involved 289 respondents from all eight local government areas in Bayelsa State, including Brass, Ekremor, Lolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa, found that 70.2% of respondents believe that oil and gas activities have significantly contributed to environmental pollution and degradation in the State. Water pollution was reported by 55.7% of respondents, making it the most prevalent type of pollution experienced. This was followed by air pollution (23.18%), soil pollution (15.92%), and other types of pollution (4.84%). The research also discovered that majority of respondents 79.24% and their families in each of the local government areas experience negative health effects due to oil pollution in their communities. The local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, and Yenagoa, which have a high number of oil installations, reported particularly high levels of health issues. On the question of government accountability, 70.24% of respondents believe that the government does not hold oil and gas companies accountable for environmental damage, while only 20.42% expressed that they are somewhat accountable, and 9.34% said they are highly accountable. Additionally, 54.86% of respondents believe that companies can adequately address concerns related to land degradation or deforestation resulting from oil and gas activities. In terms of government responsiveness, 81.94% of respondents are not satisfied with the response of federal government agencies to environmental concerns raised by the affected communities. Furthermore, 75.26% do not believe that government agencies effectively oversee and enforce regulations to protect the rights of the community. The report also evaluated the handling of oil and gas asset divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State. Respondents rated the divestment handling as poor (67.13%), fair (18.34%), not available (8.65%), good (5.19%), and excellent (0.69%). Similarly, 72.32% of respondents rated the transparency of International Oil Companies (IOCs) in communicating processes as poor, while 12.80% rated it fair, 5.54% good, 0.35% excellent, and 9.00% not available. Local community involvement in the divestment process was also assessed, with 41.52% of respondents stating that they are not involved at all, 39.79% not very involved, 12.11% somewhat involved, and 0.69% very involved. Regarding the perception of companies’ responsiveness to citizens’ concerns and feedback on divestment, 42.56% of respondents said they are not responsive at all, 25.26% not very responsive, and only 1.73% found them responsive. When asked about their awareness of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) checklist, 73% of respondents said they do not know about the NUPRC checklist, while 27% said they are aware and have access to it. Focus Group Discussions conducted as part of the research highlighted several critical issues, including environmental catastrophes, severe impacts on respondents’ livelihoods, human rights violations, health crises, and socio-cultural degradation. The focus group discussions underscored the urgent need for infrastructural maintenance to prevent such failures. Meanwhile, HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju emphasized the need for urgent action, stating, “The NUPRC should enforce environmental regulations with stricter penalties for non-compliant IOCs. Increased funding and ensuring transparency in remediation efforts are essential. Regular engagement between IOCs, government agencies, and communities should be mandated, along with the development of community-led monitoring initiatives. “Launching comprehensive health programs and conducting long-term health studies are vital. Sustainable livelihood programs, and fair compensation for affected communities should be prioritized. Strengthening anti-corruption frameworks with technology for transparency is crucial.” The report’s findings are stark reminders of the ecological and economic sustainability challenges facing Bayelsa State. As Suraju noted, “The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and effective remediation efforts, stronger regulatory enforcement, and greater accountability from both IOCs and government bodies. These measures are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of leases in various capacities and guiding development, enhancing accountability, and informing stakeholders.” The full report of the “On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria” is available on the HEDA website and can be downloaded here (Report of On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria – HEDA Resource Centre). The report offers valuable insights to inform discussions, policies, and decisions shaping the nation’s future.