Experts have canvassed sustainable means of livelihoods for Ogoni People in Rivers State, insisting that failure to do so five years after the commencement of the cleanup exercise, might worsen the plight of Ogoni people. Speaking at a virtual conference, Dr. Sam Kabari of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, said oil spills occasioned by oil bunkering, artisanal refining and un-serviced assets have become a daily occurrence in Ogoniland. On issue of livelihoods in Ogoniland, Kabari maintained that wages from traditional livelihoods were inadequate, saying developing sustainable livelihoods could be impeded by political, economic, social and environmental factors. Also, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Centre, Emem Okon, said: “We conducted study on women’s livelihood needs assessment in Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai council areas to promote inclusion in decision making. xShe added the group’s intervention was aimed at enhancing full participation of women in the implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report and the Ogoni cleanup exercise.

Source: The Guardian March 15, 2021 04:52 UTC