Fishing communities in Cross River State have been urged to prepare for possible environmental and livelihood challenges associated with oil exploration as the state moves towards commencement of petroleum activities. The call was made during a training for fishers, youths, and community leaders at Esuk Atu Beach, Calabar Municipality, organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in partnership with Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF). The training aimed to help communities identify and collectively address challenges affecting their livelihoods and environment.
The Coordinator of PPDF, Umo Isua-Ikoh, said the training was part of the “Building Community Rights Defenders in the Niger Delta” project. He stated that communities in the Niger Delta were already experiencing common challenges, including insecurity, declining fish catches, and environmental degradation. Isua-Ikoh added that Cross River communities needed to prepare for the possible impact of oil exploration, citing the experiences of neighbouring oil-producing states.
According to Isua-Ikoh, the project will run for one year and will bring together communities in Esuk Atu, Cross River State, and Esuk Atu in Akwa Ibom State for exchange visits, sharing of experiences, and development of community-based solutions. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of communities to address environmental and livelihood challenges. The project also seeks to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among communities in the Niger Delta region.
Facilitator of the training, environmentalist Idongesit Essien, identified pollution, destruction of mangroves by nipa palm, traditional fish-smoking methods, and climate change as challenges confronting fishing communities. Essien noted that pollution from mining activities and offshore oil production was affecting aquatic ecosystems. He also highlighted the impact of nipa palm on mangrove areas where fish breed, contributing to declining catches.
Essien warned that smoke from traditional methods of fish processing could pose health risks to residents, urging communities to adopt safer and more sustainable practices. He encouraged fishers to document environmental problems and use storytelling, media, and other lawful advocacy methods to draw attention to issues affecting their communities. Essien also suggested that community members could organise themselves, petition relevant authorities, and engage regulators to address environmental concerns.
Village Head of Essierebom Community, Calabar South, Obonganwan Elizabeth Eyo, commended the organisers for training fishermen and women on climate change, livelihoods, and other environmental issues affecting their communities. Eyo stated that the phase 1 of the project was implemented in the Essierebom community and Opolom Community in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last year. The project communities benefited from interventions, including stakeholders' engagement and exchange visits.
Obonganwan Eyo encouraged the phase 2 project community beneficiaries to take the intervention seriously, as they stood to gain more from PPDF and HOMEF. She noted that the project built and enhanced their advocacy capacity, which they were currently using, though they still expected more. The training aims to empower communities to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable livelihoods in the Niger Delta region.
Key points
- The training was part of the “Building Community Rights Defenders in the Niger Delta” project, aimed at helping communities identify and collectively address challenges affecting their livelihoods and environment.
- Pollution, destruction of mangroves by nipa palm, traditional fish-smoking methods, and climate change were identified as challenges confronting fishing communities.
- The project will run for one year and will bring together communities in Esuk Atu, Cross River State, and Esuk Atu in Akwa Ibom State for exchange visits, sharing of experiences, and development of community-based solutions.
