NHRC to investigate Niger Delta oil spills, pollution

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated a six-man  committee to investigate a complaint brought before   it by Niger Delta groups on oil spills and environmental pollution against  multinational oil companies in the region.
Inaugurating the committee yesterday in Abuja, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof Bem Angwe said it was unfortunate that there were “black rivers” in the Niger Delta.
He said the rivers had become toxic and bad for consumption due to the oil spill by multinational oil companies hence it was against the rights of the people in the communities.
Angwe said the problem of oil spillage in the region has led to loss of jobs and livelihood as fishermen no longer made  successful catch, farmlands no longer fertile and oil companies had  done little or nothing to put an end to the problem.
He said the committee was saddled  with the responsibility of finding out persons responsible for any act of alleged environmental pollution or degradation brought forward as well as making  recommendations as to measures to prevent further acts. On his part, President-General, Akwa Ibom Producing Community Development Network (AKIPCON), Apostle Ufot Phenson said the communities made reports to various agencies to solve the problem but to no avail hence the need to demand for their rights of a safe environment from the commission.
Members of the panel are Mrs Oti Ovrawah, Tony Ojukwu, A. A Yakubu,Nduka Ezenwugo, Saka Azimazi and Yemisi Akhile.