Bayelsa state Governor, the Honourable
Henry Seriake Dickson has expressed dismay over the insensitivity of
the multinational oil companies to the plight of the host communities
in the Niger Delta region.
Dickson at the weekend, received the
prestigious Green Wheel award by the Rotary International District
9141 in recognition of his contribution to the Environmental
challenges as it affects the people of the region.
The presentation of the award was done
by the District Governor Rotary International District 9141, Adeyemi
Oladokun in Government House, Yenagoa
Dickson who was represented
by the commissioner for Environment of Bayelsa State, Hon. Ebipadei
Apaingolo condemned the multinational oil firms for brazenly
destroying the Niger Delta environment without adherence to
international best practices in their activities.
Dickson while commending Rotary
International for deeming it fit to recognise the activities of his
administration with a highly prestigious award especially on issues
relating to Environment as it affects the people of the state, has
called on International Oil Companies and the Federal Government to
operate in accordance with best practices.”
The governor who reiterated his
commitment in fighting environmental degradation, noted that the
launch of Rise For Bayelsa Campaign was an initiative aimed at
attracting global attention to the ravaging effects of oil spills,
pollution and environmental degradation in the state.
According to him, the commission was
inaugurated “ to investigate the environmental, health,
socio-economic, cultural and human damage caused by operations of
both local and multi-national oil companies.”
They are equally mandated to “analyse
the legislations governing the operations of multi-national oil
companies in Bayelsa State, and in Nigeria, as well as establish a
set of recommendations that would lead to the development of a new
legal framework that ensures accountability.”
The governor, therefore, sought the
partnership of the Rotary International and other groups, locally and
Internationally in his quest to address the Environmental challenges
confronting the people of Niger Delta region.
Earlier in his address, the District
Governor of Rotary International District 9141, Mr. Adeyemi Oladokun
noted that, the activities of Governor Seriake Dickson led
administration, especially the recently held programme, ‘Rise for
Bayelsa’with the theme; The Environment, Our present, our future,
Rotary observed that the inauguration of an 8-member international
Bayelsa Oil and Environmental Commission headed by the Archbishop of
York, Dr. John Sentamu and the visits to impacted communities by the
commission attracted the attention of the international body.
According to the District Governor, “It
was based on these developments that the Organisation decided to
honour the government with the prestigious award.
The Bayelsa State Government delegation
which was led by the Commissioner of Environment Hon Ebipiti
Epiangolo included the Head Media and Events and Project Officer Rise
for Bayelsa Campaign, Ono K.Akpe, Special Adviser to the Governor,
VIP Protocol, Hon. David Nanakumo and Permanent Secretary Special
Duties , Mightyman Aye Dikuro.
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