Niger Delta Communities Demand Ecological Restoration and Flood Prep

Host communities in Nigeria's Niger Delta gathered in Port Harcourt under the auspices of Oilwatch International to demand comprehensive ecological restoration of polluted lands and waterways. Coordinator Kentebe Ebiarider said the dialogue marked a shift from documenting oil spills and gas flaring to actively reclaiming and rebuilding ecosystems, urging volunteers to maintain records of spills to support remediation claims.

At the same time, environmental rights activist Chief Mulade Sheriff called on the governors of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states to adopt urgent flood‑preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. He warned that delayed action could repeat the devastation of the 2012 floods and urged immediate steps such as evacuations, river desilting, stockpiling relief supplies and strengthening emergency response capacity.