By Ben Ezeamalu
June 20, 2011 02:50PM
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The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has warned the Federal Government to halt the planned commencement of bitumen extraction in communities in the bitumen belt stretching from Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Kogi, and other parts of Nigeria.

ERA/FoEN made the call at the weekend on the occasion of the 2011 International Stop Tar Sands Day, commemorated June 18 annually to compel governments across the world to redirect about $1.8 billion worth of subsidies from tar sands investors to communities and individuals promoting sustainable development.

The Nigerian government has never failed to mention Nigeria's potentials in tar sands and recently announced the award of bitumen blocks to some companies. Information about the process of bidding remained confined to government offices while the general public is left uninformed of activities, according to the group.

"Not only was the bidding process for bitumen in the bitumen belt flawed, evidence from around the world have shown that bitumen extraction will pollute rivers and lead to livelihood losses thereby instigating and exacerbating crisis in the peaceful communities," said Godwin Ojo, ERA/FoEN director, Programmes & Administration.

"It is still an irony that while the Nigerian public and especially communities in the bitumen belt know nothing about agreements that the Nigerian government has entered into with bitumen firms or the environmental and social costs of this confirmed risky venture, the same government is busy telling the world of expected financial benefits of bitumen extraction."

Potential for danger

Mr Ojo explained that evidence from around the globe and countries like Canada show that bitumen extraction exposes communities around the resource to methane and other dangerous chemicals as fossil fuel extraction. In the process, water, land and the air is fouled.

"We are in solidarity with impacted communities across the globe and reiterate our stand that renewables are the way to go," Mr Ojo added.

"Bitumen extraction, like fossil fuels, will only instigate pollution and endless crisis in communities in Nigeria. We joined in this day of international action against bitumen to demand that bitumen be left in the soil."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5719150-146/group_advises_federal_government_on_bitumen.csp

I'm not too keen on seeing this bitumen extracted. Knowing how things work in Nigeria, the involved states (Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo and evidently Kogi?) would be turned into a polluted wasteland.

The states involved need to ensure that the firms seeking to extract bitumen have done their environmental impact assessment and are willing/able to either pay compensation for environmental pollution or have the technology to mitigate its effects.

odiaero:

And what about Niger Delta that the oil is being extract from? abeg make dem extract the thing jare

Bitumen extraction is far worse environmentally (from what I understand) and much less profitable.

In any case, primarily up to the people of the ND to fight for their rights. Not any 3rd parties.

One other thing, if they plan on extracting oil from this bitumen (as is done in Canada), then a refinery had better come online too. I don't want to see the SW zone exporting crude oil when we can refine it locally.

Bitumen is being extracted world over, why are the indigenes not crying foul. Pollution will be taken care of.

No to bitumen exploration by Nigeria looters in Yoruba land

But it is alright in the Niger-Delta. The proceeds of which are used to develop towns, cities and people thousands of miles away and fuel bank accounts the world over. They should explore it sharp sharp. It doesn't have to be for oil. Crack it a bit for heavy oils and the bitumen to fill the craters that abound on our roads. No white man involved in this please. Its not too hard.

ekt_bear:

I'm not too keen on seeing this bitumen extracted. Knowing how things work in Nigeria, the involved states (Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo and evidently Kogi?) would be turned into a polluted wasteland.

But some places are turned to polluted wasteland as a result of exploration in their lands yet you people hate them and don't think they should enjoy from the proceeds.

seanet02:

No to bitumen exploration by Nigeria looters in Yoruba land

Good for you. Yoruba people are trying to protect their environs and Niger Deltans should not protect theirs.

sirjec:

But some places are turned to polluted wasteland as a result of exploration in their lands yet you people hate them and don't think they should enjoy from the proceeds.

Says who? Who is this "you people"? I have no problem with the folk of the ND. They can certainly work for more resource control. But surely I'm under no obligation to do this for them?

^

Did i stop niger delta from stopping the population of their environment? It is their choice, they Can sell even their future if they like. Yoruba can not pay for their docility

the oil don finish? who need bitumen?

This Bitumen talk is overrated jare. We have been hearing this same story since IBB days.

what re dey waiting 4,
abeg do it.

I strongly suggest any local government with any valuable resources in nigeria fight with all their might to prevent the exploitation of their resources.

I know personally that if they tried to extract the nat gas from my region I wouldn't have any qualms about blowing up thier facilitys.

This will create more jobs and revenue, so they should start the extraction immediately

Dig baby dig! 

SW it is your turn now.

Don't durty our beautiful unpolluted SW landscape o

donspony:

Don't durty our beautiful unpolluted SW landscape o

your joking right?

it will lead to a civil war, if the nigeria extracted bitumen in yorubaland.

there is no way we would ever agree under the nation call nigeria. see what they have done in river state.  many of the families I know and others went to court before. and there is noway. under the nation call nigeria, they will do that, if you remove edo,delta and yorubaland. it is possible. I give you my word. but under nigeria. it will lead to a civil war.  if you do that, you have declared a civil war.



[img]http://saferafricagroup.files./2011/04/amnesty_militants_1.jpg[/img]

pleep:

your joking right?

You wouldn't want to see an Omo Oduduwa Volunteer Force bros.

under the nation call nigeria. it will lead to 1,000,000 oduduwa Volunteer Force, if they remove edo,delta and Yorubas it is possible.