From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Journalists in the Niger Delta have been urged to hold state governments of the region accountable with regards to the Ecological Funds.
Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Amaechi Okonkwo, made the call during a dinner party, as part of the activities of the 2026 Correspondents’ Week, which has its theme: “The Imperatives of Comprehensive Cleanup of the Niger Delta Environment: Role of the Media,” at the weekend.
Okonkwo stated that while the international oil companies (IOCs) have been blamed for the underdevelopment of the region, the state governments have also failed to intentionally utilize the 13% derivation funds and as well, the ecological funds to develop the region.
He said: “We need to also reflect on the activities of our governments, regional government or state government. Let us remember that at some point in trying to manage the problem with oil pollution and the environment, the federal government created what is called Ecological Fund.
“Ecological Fund is just like the excess crude, the 13% derivation and so many others that I may not remember. All of these were intended to, on paper, cater to the need of the environment, especially those areas where oil is extracted so that they will use the fund to ameliorate the negative effects of the exploration and pollution when it occurs.
“But in Rivers State we cannot identify over the years, any project that is tied to the ecological fund. So it is with many of the other states.
“And so, as journalists in our editorials, in our special programs, I think time has come for us to begin to demand that those target funds will no longer be blown away, but that they will begin to be tied to the purposes for which they are created,” he said.
Okonkwo also submitted that while there is significant progress with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), it is important for journalists to probe into the actual utilisation of such fund.
“Through the PIA there is the host community trust which is 3% of operational cost of oil companies This one is for the communities. Let us begin to ask questions.
“How is this fund managed among the communities that bear the brunt of oil exploration? he said.
Okonkwo demanded that lawmakers at both the National and State assemblies of oil producing and bearing communities in the region channel their constituency projects towards the protection and remediation of the environment.
“The primaries that have just taken place, so many people have come up as legislators and they will represent so many areas and communities inclusive of the ones that experience pollution.
“Let us begin to demand from them, what they do with their constituency funds. They can direct their constituency funds into ameliorating the issues of oil pollution in their immediate communities.
“Can they begin to demand for legislation that will demand responsible environmental practices by oil companies and even individuals in the community,” Okonkwo stressed.
He thanked the Chairman of the event, who is the executive director of Kabetkeche Women Development Centre, Dr. Okon Emem, Nigeria LNG, the NUJ leadership in Rivers State and all who contributed in making the week a success.
In her good will message, environmental activists, and Director at the Centre for Environment Media and Development Communications, Chief Constance Meju, commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for drawing attention to Niger Delta environment.
“I believe that the Correspondents’ Week looking at the Niger Delta, looking at oil and how we can clean up the Niger Delta is to begin to understand where we are, why we are where we are, and how we can move forward. Because if you don’t know what is your problem you can never solve it,” she said.
Meju accused Shell and other oil companies of failing to clean up the environment before divesting their assets. ”I want to tell you that there is no spill site in the region that Shell has cleaned correctly. I have been to K-Dere community in Ogoni and what was supposed to be a cleaned up area, you will still see oil, the one they have abandoned, you will still see oil,” she stated.
Meju stated that why the politics in the Niger Delta region is different, is because of oil.
Meju also expressed confidence in the press in Rivers State. “I want to believe that what I saw this week tells me that we have grown. Because the challenge of journalists is keeping truth alive,” she stated.
