N/Delta crisis will heighten environmental degradation, poverty - Minister

Christian Okeke, Abuja - 08.06.2009

THE Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Ufott Ekaette, at the weekend in Abuja, stated that the current crisis in the Niger Delta region, was capable of further aggravating the environmental degradation, loss of livelihood and raise poverty situation in the region.

This was even as he observed that gas flaring which occurred as a result of oil exploration and production in the region, was rated as the highest in the world and a major source of greenhouse gas emission in Nigeria .

The minister disclosed that some on-going economic activities in the region contributed to climate change which inhibited sustainable development of the area as well as the economic growth of the nation.

He listed some other factors that made the region vulnerable to include the extensive low-lying coastal areas, complex and fragile eco-systems, endowment with large wetland, as well as the rich deposits of natural resources which include oil and gas reserves, solid mineral deposits, rich bio-diversity, forests, fisheries and marine resources.

Obong Ekatte went further to note that there was extensive deforestation and land degradation in the Niger Delta region resulting in the destruction of the fragile ecosystems, loss of valuable bio-diversity and increase in carbon dioxide emissions.