ABUJA, Could 29 2025 (IPS) – Greenpeace Africa earlier in Could introduced collectively over 40 Nigerian civil society teams in Abuja to launch the Local weather Justice Motion, the primary of its sort within the nation. The purpose is to unite varied local weather efforts nationwide and tackle the extreme impacts of local weather change on Nigeria and the African continent.
The Local weather Justice Motion in Nigeria is a part of Greenpeace Africa’s broader effort to construct new partnerships and strengthen collective motion throughout the continent. Related launches have taken place within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Ghana. The motion promotes collaboration amongst grassroots teams, advocating for sustainable options and environmental justice throughout the area.
On the finish of the two-day occasion, the teams signed the Polluters Pay Pact, calling on oil and fuel corporations to take accountability for the environmental hurt they’ve brought about. A joint declaration adopted, reaffirming their dedication to holding polluters accountable and guaranteeing Africa’s voice is heard in world local weather negotiations.
“Africa’s contribution to the local weather disaster, when it comes to air pollution, is so minimal that it’s virtually negligible. But, our communities are among the many hardest hit. Whereas developed nations had been industrializing, they polluted the surroundings and left us behind. Now, they’re even resisting efforts to assist different communities as we work to adapt and scale back the affect of local weather change for the sake of our well-being and livelihoods,” stated Murtala Touray, Programme Director at Greenpeace Africa.
Talking on the significance of the motion in Nigeria, he added, “The destruction we’re witnessing at present calls for motion. We should rise to guard our planet, safeguard the livelihoods and dignity of our communities, and go away the world higher for future generations. The launch of the Local weather Justice Motion in Nigeria is not only a one-time occasion; it marks the start of an extended journey.”
The Curse of Oil in Nigeria
Friday Nbani, a resident of the oil-rich Niger Delta, has witnessed many oil spills. For him, oil, as soon as seen as a blessing, has develop into a supply of ache and destruction.
The Niger Delta is taken into account one of many most polluted areas on the planet. Many years of unchecked oil extraction have led to grease spills, fuel flaring, and the discharge of poisonous chemical compounds. These have poisoned the land and water, destroying livelihoods and the surroundings. Regardless of the massive wealth generated from oil, the area stays poor, with polluted rivers and the lack of vital mangrove forests.
Solely not too long ago, on Could 5, 2025, a contemporary oil spill occurred within the Ikata group, Rivers State, within the Niger Delta. It occurred alongside a 14-inch pipeline operated by Renaissance Africa Vitality Firm Ltd. (RAEC). This firm had not too long ago purchased Shell’s Nigerian property in a $2.4 billion deal.
Now, RAEC is going through a lawsuit. The Bodo group in Gokana Native Authorities Space is taking the corporate to court docket. They are saying the cleanup of two main oil spills from 2008, attributable to pipelines operated by Shell, continues to be not correctly carried out. These spills reportedly launched over 600,000 barrels of oil into their waters and broken giant areas of mangrove forests. Specialists say it was one of many worst oil spills on the planet, with about 40 million litres of oil spilled yearly throughout the Niger Delta.
Shell, a British oil firm that first pumped oil within the Niger Delta in 1956, is among the most infamous oil polluters in Nigeria. It has been accused of damaging the Niger Delta for a few years. Now, critics say it’s making an attempt to flee accountability by promoting off its property.
Sherelee Odayar, Oil and Gasoline Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, spoke out towards this.
“For many years, oil giants like Shell have extracted billions in earnings from Nigerian soil whereas abandoning devastated ecosystems and damaged communities. Latest media investigations exposing Shell’s negligence within the Niger Delta are an instance of the toxicity and egocentric, unempathetic profiteering communities have endured for generations. Via this declaration, we’re sending a transparent message: the period of unchecked air pollution and company impunity is over. It’s time for polluters to pay,” she stated.
Nbani, who leads the Lekeh Growth Basis, a grassroots-based advocacy group, and helps the Polluters Pay Pact, believes the Local weather Justice Motion can assist communities get justice.
“The spills have affected our well being, farming, and fishing. Even our houses should not protected,” he informed IPS. “Individuals are talking up as a result of they’re struggling. Solely those that stay right here really perceive. However the authorities nonetheless talks about producing extra oil. We really feel forgotten. How for much longer can we stay like this?”
A Individuals-Powered Motion
“I imagine the answer is folks energy. Individuals want to appreciate the ability they’ve. Actions just like the Local weather Justice Motion are vital as a result of they assist folks perceive their proper to manage their assets. Should you personal one thing, you must have management over it,” Nbani stated.
He’s excited that the motion is being led by grassroots communities, activists, and civil society teams instantly affected by the local weather disaster. He added that it permits these most impacted to arrange, push for environmental justice, and demand accountability from polluters.
Cynthia Moyo, Local weather and Vitality Marketing campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa, stated launching a people-powered Local weather Justice Motion in Nigeria is crucial given the nation’s vital function within the local weather disaster.
“Nigeria’s local weather and vitality future relies upon closely on political will, regional cooperation, and significant funding in clear vitality. The alternatives we make on this decade will decide whether or not we develop into a climate-resilient continent with a secure economic system or stay trapped within the dangers and instability of fossil gasoline dependence. It’s important that we start a simply transition from fossil fuels to renewable vitality,” she informed IPS.
Whereas the Local weather Justice Motion is people-powered, Tolulope Gbenro, a social affect advisor, emphasised the significance of youth involvement.
“Local weather change impacts everybody, and the justice motion fights for each the current and the long run. Younger individuals are not simply leaders of tomorrow but in addition of at present. In the event that they’re not concerned in choices that have an effect on the local weather, their future and the planet’s can be in danger,” she stated.
Hope within the Darkish
Dandyson Harry Dandyson, a human rights advocate and resident of the Niger Delta, needs the federal government to impose taxes on oil polluters to carry them accountable for the injury they’ve brought about. He advocates for leaving oil within the soil and specializing in sustainable options reminiscent of renewable vitality. For him, the Local weather Justice Motion represents hope at midnight, because it goals to empower communities to halt oil manufacturing and promote eco-friendly vitality alternate options.
“Placing strain on oil polluters to take monetary accountability for environmental injury can be efficient. One of many main issues we have now right here in Nigeria is the federal government’s lackadaisical perspective towards implementing insurance policies and treaties they signal. When governments fail to take motion, we proceed to face these points. Nevertheless, with the Local weather Justice Motion, as we start pressuring and shaming polluters, particularly the Worldwide Oil Corporations, authorities ministries, and parastatals complicit in these practices, I imagine issues will change. Naming and shaming these entities will assist convey the mandatory consideration to those environmental crimes,” he famous.
On the finish of the occasion, members offered their subsequent line of motion, which they might undertake of their communities instantly. These included an intense marketing campaign for the cleanup of the Niger Delta, holding city corridor conferences to assist group members perceive their rights, and an accountability marketing campaign for the utilization of funds to fight desertification, gully erosion, and ocean surges.
IPS UN Bureau Report
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