World Environment Day: Group Calls For Justice, Stronger Protection For Oil, Gas Host Localities












World Environment Day: Group Calls For  Justice, Stronger Protection For Oil, Gas Host Localities 

By Editor 



The National Civil Society Coalition for Oil, Gas and Mining Host Communities has called for urgent measures to address environmental degradation and strengthen protections for communities affected by extractive activities across Nigeria.


The coalition made the call as the world commemorates World Environment Day 2026, highlighting the persistent environmental challenges facing oil, gas and mining host communities despite the significant contribution of natural resources to Nigeria’s economy.

In a statement signed by Lawrence Dube, National Coordinator of the Coalition, the group expressed concern over the continued impact of oil spills, gas flaring, contaminated water sources, land degradation, abandoned mining sites and the loss of livelihoods in many host communities.


The Coalition noted that the 2026 World Environment Day theme focuses on climate action and the urgent need for governments, corporations and citizens to respond decisively to escalating environmental and climate-related challenges.

“The Coalition notes that while oil, gas, and mineral resources contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy, many host communities continue to suffer from oil spills, gas flaring, polluted water sources, land degradation, abandoned mining sites, loss of livelihoods, and weak enforcement of environmental regulations.


“This year’s World Environment Day focuses on CLIMATE ACTION and the urgent need for governments, corporations, and citizens to respond decisively to growing environmental and climate challenges. We note that extractive host communities remain among the populations most vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate-related impacts.”

The Coalition urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, regulatory agencies, oil companies and mining firms to strengthen environmental accountability and ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and regulations governing extractive operations.



It specifically called on oil companies to fully implement the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Host Communities Development Trust framework to promote transparency, environmental protection, community participation and sustainable development.

The Coalition also demanded greater compliance by mining companies with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and Community Development Agreements through responsible mining practices, environmental restoration and meaningful engagement with affected communities.


“The Coalition therefore calls on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, regulatory agencies, oil companies, and mining companies to strengthen environmental accountability, protect community rights, and ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations governing extractive operations in Nigeria.

“We specifically call on oil companies to fully comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the Host Communities Development Trust framework by ensuring transparency, community participation, environmental protection, and sustainable development in host communities.”


The group further warned against any amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act that could weaken existing protections and benefits for host communities.

“The Coalition further demands that any proposed reforms or amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 must protect and strengthen (and not weaken) the rights, interests, environmental protections, and developmental benefits guaranteed to host communities.”


Photo Of A Lady with A Child Watching The Level Of Spill  Her Community ( Credit Online)
The Coalition also called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, remediation of polluted environments, protection of environmental defenders and greater inclusion of women, youths and local communities in environmental governance and resource management.

According to the group, sustainable national development cannot be achieved while communities that produce Nigeria’s natural resource wealth continue to experience pollution, poverty, exclusion and environmental injustice.

The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability, corporate accountability, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining host communities.

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