Use cleanup to create jobs for youths - Group tells FG

Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, ERA/FoE, an environmental group, has urged the Federal Government to use oil spills clean-up process in the Niger Delta to create jobs in the area.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Executive Director ERA/FoE, Dr Godwin Ojo, made the call in Yenagoa on Thursday during a workshop and advocacy for community leaders and stakeholders on oil spill remediation and generation of green Jobs.

Ojo, who was represented by the Bayelsa Project Officer, Alagoa Morris, stated that the pressure for clean-up is high and with unemployment among youths.

He noted that the environment could be a means of creating green jobs that would have multiplier effects on the environment and livelihood by involving the youths in the clean-up process.

"While the cost of clean-up is high, it is the preventive measures that are more relevant to forestall future occurrences.

" we, therefore, call on the government to mobilise and train the youths to be involved in the oil spill clean-up process through the use of bio-remediation techniques," he said.

Meanwhile, In a communiqué issued after the workshop, community leaders identified equipment failure, corrosion and negligence on the part of multinational oil companies and pipeline vandalism as the main causes of oil spillage in the Niger Delta region.

Lamenting that environmental degradation and displacement of means of livelihood have been the bane of oil activities in the region.

Community leaders also expressed concern that while oil spillage, gas flaring and gas leaks are on the increase, clean up are not forth coming due to the weak over sight functions of government agencies.

They advocated the establishment of a cleanup and remediation fund of 100 billion USD to be set aside to commence clean up of the Niger Delta.