In this exclusive interview for MixiTV, Afolabi Osho engages with Mr. Isaac Botti, Project Manager at Social Action Integrated Development Centre, to discuss the pressing issue of environmental degradation in Bayelsa State. The conversation took place at the Social Action project office in Wuse 2, Abuja. Following an October 30, 2024 conference convened by Social Action, HOMEF, and the Ford Foundation, which examined findings from the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) on what has been described as “environmental genocide” due to oil pollution, Mr. Botti provides critical insights on the challenges and potential actions moving forward

Mixitv Host:
Mr. Botti, can you tell us why Social Action, HOMEF, and the Ford Foundation convened this conference to consult with international environmental experts on the findings of “environmental genocide” in Bayelsa as reported by the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) on October 30, 2024?

Mr. Botti:
I am Isaac Botti, working with Social Action Nigeria. Alongside HOMEF (Health of Mother Earth Foundation) and with the support of the Ford Foundation, we saw an urgent need to bring the findings of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) into public view. This report documents the devastating impact of oil spills in Bayelsa due to pipeline leaks and well blowouts, which have caused severe environmental degradation and deprivation across Bayelsa’s ecosystem.

Our purpose in convening this conference was to raise awareness about this crisis and the effects on Bayelsa’s people, particularly the health, socio-economic, and environmental sustainability challenges they face. This report presents scientific data that details the level of contamination and pollution from these oil spills and highlights the toll on the livelihoods and well-being of the affected communities. Through this conference, we aimed to expose the reality of this “environmental genocide” to national and international audiences, stressing the need for immediate and large-scale remediation actions.

Mixitv Host:
Environmental experts have recommended a $12 billion budget for the remediation of Bayelsa’s pollution crisis. Could you share more about the proposed timeline for this remediation and the essential activities included in this budget to alleviate the suffering and improve the socio-economic conditions of Bayelsans?

Mr. Botti:
The BSOEC has recommended a $12 billion budget, to be allocated over 12 years, with $1 billion allocated each year to fund comprehensive cleanup and remediation efforts in Bayelsa. This budget reflects the serious scale of intervention needed to reverse the environmental and human impacts of decades of oil pollution. Each year’s funding is essential to conduct effective soil and water cleanup, restore contaminated land, and address the health and economic consequences faced by the people.

The sooner the government initiates these actions, the more manageable the situation will be. Delaying further could worsen the conditions, as many communities are already facing severe health issues, with no access to clean water or arable land. It’s critical that the Bayelsa government initiates the cleanup process immediately and rallies support for this initiative

Mixit Host:
This crisis has been labeled “environmental genocide” due to its profound human impact. Considering the role of agencies such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), international oil companies (IOCs), and the Federal Government, do you believe these stakeholders are genuinely prepared to commit to this cause alongside the Bayelsa Government? Additionally, with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed and 123 community trust funds approved but unimplemented, how do you view this campaign as a collaborative effort, particularly between your organization and the NNPC/Joint Venture International Oil Companies?

Mr. Botti:
The Niger Delta has a long history of individuals and groups fighting for environmental justice, from people like Ken Saro-Wiwa to today’s activists. Many have paid the ultimate price in this fight, and yet the struggle continues.

The BSOEC’s 2023 report follows previous reports, such as UNEP’s 2010 report on Ogoniland, which also called for major environmental remediation. However, even after a decade, many of the UNEP report’s recommendations have not been implemented, despite the government establishing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to manage Ogoni’s cleanup. People in Ogoni and Bayelsa still suffer the consequences of unchecked pollution, including health and economic issues due to contaminated water and soil.

According to NNPC’s data, Bayelsa experiences an oil spill every 12 hours, which amounts to more than 10,000 spills over the last 14 years. The BSOEC’s findings also show dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals, such as benzene and sulfur dioxide, posing serious health risks to residents. Local reports of respiratory issues, skin damage, and even birth deformities further underscore the critical need for urgent action.

The Bayelsa State Government and all relevant agencies, including NOSDRA, NUPRC, and the IOCs, must now commit to implementing this report’s recommendations. They have received this report, and it’s time for them to act. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership will also be essential to securing a collaborative, multi-level response to address this crisis effectively.

Read about the human cost of Big Oil’s quest for profit, and see the demands for #JusticeForBayelsa: https://report.bayelsacommission.org?

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Social Action Integrated Development Centre

www.socialaction.org