By USMAN ALIYU

Environmental activists, civil society groups, and community representatives across the Niger Delta have demanded an urgent review of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to set a definite deadline for ending gas flaring.

The demand formed part of the resolutions from the Climate Justice Assembly held on Friday in Benin City during the launch of “Yasunize and Ogonize the World for Socio-Ecological Wellbeing.”

The assembly was organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).

The stakeholders described the current provisions as unjust and environmentally destructive.

In a declaration signed by Mr. Stanley Egholo, Cadmus Atake-Enade, and Kome Odhomor, the groups accused the PIA of “failing the region by permitting gas flaring and unfairly blaming communities for pipeline protection.”

They called on the National Assembly to amend the law by removing the power to grant gas-flaring permits from regulatory agencies.

They called for a legislation that fix a date for ending gas flaring, allowing exceptions only for rare and clearly defined emergencies.

“Gas flaring fines should be equal to the market value of the gas and directed to host community funds,” the statement read.

“Remove community responsibility for protecting oil installations. Remove laws criminalizing community protests. Let host communities, not oil companies, control development funds,” the coalition said.

The coalition also demanded a comprehensive audit of the environmental, health and economic impacts of oil and gas extraction across the Niger Delta.

They referenced the 2011 UNEP Report on Ogoniland, which revealed massive pollution and environmental degradation.

“The destruction across the entire Niger Delta requires immediate clean-up, restoration of damaged ecosystems, and reparations for 64 years of harm,” they said.

They further called for reforms to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), urging the government to release the commission’s forensic audit report and prosecute offenders.

“Projects must be based on community-approved needs assessments. Prioritize completing abandoned projects over starting new ones,” the resolution added.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, said the campaign aligned with global calls for climate justice and community-centered ecological recovery.

“Continuing extraction while promoting cleaning up is total foolishness.

“The major drivers of the climate crisis are greed and convenience.

“This meeting feeds into frontline communities’ demands ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

“Although we are not expecting much from COP, we must not give up on advocacy and our demands,” Bassey said.

The HOMEF director added that the “Yasunize and Ogonize” social media campaign aims to connect local struggles for environmental justice in Africa with similar movements in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Other speakers included Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Celestine Akpobari of Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), and representatives of the Edo Civil Society Coalition (EDOCSO) and Gelegele community.

Academic perspectives were shared by Dr Ofuani Sokolo of the University of Benin, who spoke on “Gender, Climate Change and Community Mobilisation.”

HOMEF’s Stanley Egholo and Cadmus Atake-Enade, discussed “Understanding NDAC Manifesto and NSAC Charters” and “Centering Community Voices for Climate Justice.” (NAN)