The federal government has expressed displeasure over the level of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, a development
The federal government is considering that stiffer punishments for companies involved in oil spillage in the country.
The development follows increasing level of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta area and its effects on the nation’s economy,according to the Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor.
She spoke at the weekly ministerial press briefing organized by the presidential media team at the presidential villa, Abuja,where she hinted that the ministry is engaging other relevant government agencies to achieve this.
She said a bill is being worked out to amend the law establishing the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to build its capacity and give it the “the needed teeth to bite.”
She said the operating company of the OML29 in Nembe, Bayelsa state has blamed the most recent oil spillage in the country on sabotage by the locals.
Ikeazor stressed the need to put an end to artisanal refineries, which she said had continued to cause pollution in the Niger Delta.
The minister also lamented the high rate of deaths from smoke especially among women in the country, which she noted is the highest in the world.
