Niger Delta may be submerged in 2050, experts stress

A crème of experts on environmental issues from the academia have re-echoed the prediction of the Department For International Development, DFID that the Niger Delta may be submerged by 2050 as a result of one metre rise sea level, just as they decried the poor attitude of people towards the environment.

This position was fall-out of a one-day Conference/Public Lecture organized by Safe Communities’ Support and Development Foundation, SCSD Foundation at the NNPC Senior Staff Club, Ekpan near Warri, Delta State.

The Head of Civil Engineering Department, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Prof. Ife Adewumi who was represented by Ambassador Caroline Usikpedo and the Director of Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, Dr. Kevin Ikponmwosa Idehen  while speaking on the topic ‘Dangers of Environmental Pollution’, averred that government at all levels have not lived up to their responsibility as far as the environment is concerned and noted that there is no safe community in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

According to them, “of the over 250 designated safe communities worldwide, Africa and Nigeria do not have even one”, insisting that “The Niger Delta with just a one-meter rise in the sea level, may be displaced owing to the low lying level of the land and its contiguity with the sea”.

They identified indiscriminate discharge of domestic as well as industrial waste across Delta State, lack of durable drainages and accessible dump sites in most cities in the state as challenges that need to be urgently addressed to save the Niger Delta from being submerged by 2050.

President/CEO of SCSD Foundation, Mr. Alfred Ugharami had explained that part of his organization’s policy framework is to help communities across the country build the capacity and resources they need to mount coordinated, collaborative programmes designed to reduce the pain and cost of injury as it affects indiscriminate dumping of waste with a view to promoting a culture of safety for all residents.

Engr. George Akori (left) Besidone Ebule (2^nd left) Mr. Tuduo E.W (3^rd left) Mr. Nwabueze (5^th left) Mr. Ugharami Alfred (6^th left) Mr. Temisere Fredrick .O. (middle) Mudiagha Asagba (5^th right) Ambassador Caroline Usikpedo (4^th right) & others

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