Chairman Isoko Environment Monitoring Committee (IEMC), Maimoni Marierie Ubrei-Joe, has disclosed the group’s plan to constitute Special Marshalls on exposing environmental right violation in Isoko nation.
Maimoni Marierie Ubrei-Joe made this information known while fielding questions from newsmen recently during the event of the Isoko People Environmental Assembly (IPEA) and the launch of the State of Isoko Environment report held recently at the Isoko Development Union Secretariat in Oleh, Isoko south local government area of Delta state.
The environmental activist however noted that, the initiative is saddled with environmental policing objectives and goals adding that, their agenda is to ensure that every activities that goes on in Isoko land is carried out in such a way to safeguard the environment of Isoko people as well as respect for their human right.
He noted that besides having a direct relation with the local environment, the committee, a voluntary and an advocacy group also assist the Delta state government in ensuring that environmental policies are put in place by bringing local solutions from the lsoko environment to effect or influence the decision at the state government level.
According to him, series of investigations and research was carried out and reported on the state of Isoko environment to draw the attention of the oil industry and the government to the people’s plights and curiosity and a continued consultation and dialogue with the honourable member representing the Isoko south constituency 1 at the Delta state house of Assembly who happen to be a member of the environment committee.
“We are doing all we can to document our findings on the state of Isoko environment in order to avoid any form of misrepresentation, the oil industry and those dredging sand, their activities, attitude and the impression of the people will be also be documented on the report so our advocacy can be on a genuine grounds”.
The honourable member, representing Isoko south constituency 1 at the Delta State house of Assembly, Hon Obowomano Bino Owhede who was ably represented by Mr Opia Keno described such initiative in his submission, as an essential component of a collective vision designed to foster stakeholders engagement in the protection of the Delta state environment in line with the MORE Agenda of the current administration.
He added that as a member of the committee on environment in the state house, he is committed in ensuring that the recommendation directed towards the government are vigorously pursued and implemented and it will not be out of place to consider sponsoring a bill based on the insight gotten from the program and the comprehensive lsoko people environmental report.
To this, he however commended the Isoko Development Union (IDU) under the leadership of Prof Chris Akpotu and the Isoko Environmental Monitoring Committee for ensuring the preservation of Isoko environment while pledging his unwavering commitment to the well being of Isoko people.
Present at the ceremony are Isoko academic top notches among whom are, Prof. Elo Ibagere, Provost, Oleh campus, Delta state University, Dr Mrs Akpezi Edewor, Ms Ayo Nefertiti Okotie, the Executive Director, Environmental Protection, Promotion Initiative, (EPPI) Comrade Sylvester Itimi among others
