Delta Speaker Guwor harps for strict legislations to protect N’Delta environment against violators

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly RT (Hon) Emomotimi Guwor has advocated for more stringent legislations to protect the Niger Delta environment against violators, especially multinational and local oil companies who turned the environment to dumping sites with the pollution of oil exploration and exploitation while speaking at the 2nd annual Ijaw media conference 2025, organized by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, IPF in Delta State.

Stating that this will curb further damages of the Niger Delta environment, thereby saving the environment for future generations.

The Delta state speaker RT. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was represented by former Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Emma Amgbaduba, noted that environmental neglect and social injustice were key drivers of unrest in oil-producing areas.

According to him, ”fishermen and farmers are in acute hunger and hardship due to the polluted rivers and degraded farmlands have pushed many families into hardship, threatening livelihoods that once sustained entire communities”

The concerns, which reflect broader national anxieties over environmental degradation and revenue losses, took centre stage at the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference held on Wednesday in Effurun, Delta State.

Participants at the conference warned that unless urgent steps are taken to protect natural resources, the human cost of oil exploration would continue to deepen poverty and insecurity in the region, with consequences for the national economy.

Guwor emphasized that host communities must demand strict compliance by international and indigenous oil companies with global environmental standards and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He noted that environmental neglect and social injustice were key drivers of unrest in oil-producing areas.

The speaker urged residents to take ownership of environmental protection in their communities, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft, which he said has worsened pollution and economic losses.

The Speaker stressed that peaceful coexistence within communities remained critical to restoring confidence, attracting investments and improving living conditions in the Niger Delta.