SOE- Building Resilience and People Power

Within the over six decades of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, a lot has changed that has put the region in a very famous position for the avalanche of pollution it suffers – notably as one of the most polluted regions on earth. The communities where these exploration activities have and is still taking place bear the brunt. Ironically, these communities are among the most marginalized, under-served, unrepresented and suppressed in the country; and also most vulnerable to the impacts of the existential climate chaos.

With the advent of exploration and exploitation activities, the communities have gradually become disconnected from the environment they have had intrinsic relationship with over the years which consequently results to livelihood losses, health issues and sociocultural dislocation.

This session will question corporate existence/capture of communities, establishing the choke lines and inter-linkages as well as build synergies between communities, academics and CSOs for action – this will serve as a buildup activity to establish common position that will form the campaign demands during the COP28. This session will also critically analyse the proposed Nigeria-Morroco gas pipeline, x-raying the impacts that such project will have on the wellbeing and livelihoods of communities and peoples.