By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Thursday decried the alarming rate of gas flaring and
pollution in the country, seeking for an end to tackle the problem which is responsible for alot of environmental damage to Communities.
This was the position of members of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) during a capacity building workshop training held in Gelegele community in Ovia North-East Local Government
area of Edo state.
Speaking during the capacity building workshop in Gelegele community, an environmentalist Morris Alagoa tasked community
members to identify and work on the problems bedeviling residents in Gelegele community in Ovia North-East Local Government
area of Edo state.
Lamenting the dangers of gas flaring and unfriendly Environmental oil exploitation activities, Alagoa said , “it is time to take action. Once you agree to act as a community, everyone must ensure to comply and work in the best interest of the community.”
Alagoa noted that it is imperative for people to adhere to collective decision if their actions is to have desired impact adding that “If you see something wrong, be ready to say it out and not be silent over it. Team up with bodies and organization that fight against injustices. If you speak up, people will come together to fight with you against such injustice.”
He further stressed that every Community and locals must commit in the campaign for ensuring sustainability of our environment.
Some Community members lamented the ecological problems and livelihood challenges they face as a result of enormous gas flare in local communities in Edo state and beyond.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prince Babs Pawuru of Host Communities Network (HoCoN) expressed gladness over the timely training and urged the community members to be ready to join in the struggle to end exploitations that do not yield positive benefits.
“I am happy we have this gathering today. This meeting will help the youthsand other community members to know how to demand accountability from corporations that engage in harmful activities. Together we can also hold the government responsible. To start with, we have to stand together and demand the immediate ending of gas flaring in Gelegele.”