The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged energy firms operating in the Niger Delta region to intensify research efforts into renewable and non-fossil fuels.

Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations at ERA/FoEN, a Non-Governmental Organisation, made the call in an interview in Yenagoa.

Morris said there was the need to diversify the nation’s energy mix and reduce the emphasis on oil and gas prospecting due to their adverse effects on the ecosystem.

He frowned at indiscriminate seismic activities by oil firms in the residential area in Yenagoa.

This has been ongoing in Yenagoa in the past two months.

ERA/FoEN, in a reaction to the development, noted that the aggressive search for oil in residential areas was ill-advised.

According to Morris, the present convention is to develop alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly.

The group said the sound of explosives creates panic among residents and it wondered why there was no sensitisation to enlighten residents and assure them of safety.

He said some residents, who expressed their concerns on the oil exploration activities, told the NGO that the seismic cables in use traversed their houses and often disrupted their social and economic activities.

According to him, the residents express fears that if oil was struck, they may be compelled to relocate.

Morris said: “Some residents, however, expressed optimism that if crude oil/gas is found on their land, it would bring fortune to them.

“ERA/FoEN observed that the seismic cables were laid at the doorsteps of some residences, around and entrances to homes, shops/business environment, roadsides and even in the middle of the roads in Yenagoa.

“It is unimaginable that while the world is progressively shifting away from fossil energy, developing renewable energy; the Federal Government and Shell are still exploring crude oil/gas.

“The explosives detonated during the search for oil was responsible for the reported earth tremor incidents reported by ERA last year.”

The leading environmentalist urged the Federal Government and oil firms to leave the oil/gas in the soil and go for the renewable source of energy.

This advice, he said, became necessary considering the social and environmental conflicts and injustices associated with fossil energy.

“Government should protect the rights of Nigerians to live and go about their businesses in an environment conducive to their development in line with Article 24 of African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“The environment needs protection and defence from government.

“Residents should not just remain silent; they should express themselves freely.

“Experience has shown that environment damaged by crude oil induced pollution has never been properly attended to by our government and the oil companies.

“The federal and state governments should ensure that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) should be conducted before any exploration exercise,” ERA/FoEN said.

When contacted about use the explosives to explore oil, Mr Joseph Obari, Spokesman of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), declined to comment

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