The Bayelsa government has urged the United Nations to support efforts towards tackling environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region.

Governor Douye Diri made the appeal on Thursday at Otuan, Southern Ijaw LGA, during an assessment visit to a police station donated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Mr Diri said the region was facing environmental injustice following the activities of oil companies. He said that there was a need for stakeholders to work together to tackle the environmental challenges in the region.

The governor said, “We call on the EU, development partners and environmental rights organisations to support the Niger Delta in tackling this challenge. We need to work together in engaging the international oil companies to address all manner of environmentally unwholesome practices in the region.

“We have witnessed gas flaring and oil spillage occurring unchecked for decades in the region. It is unfair.”

The governor identified outbreaks of strange diseases and death as some of the effects of oil companies’ “recklessness” in the area.

Mr Diri said the state government had taken several steps to seek redress, including making a case before the United Kingdom’s parliament.

The governor further urged the international community to support the state in youth development to curb drug abuse and crime.

The Amananaowei of Otuan, Christopher Okoto, thanked UNODC for choosing the community for its rural development and security project.

Mr Okoto urged the state government to expand the youth development centre and to build a mechanised cassava processing factory in the community.

(NAN)