A medical practitioner, Dr Bieye Briggs, says studies have proven that pollution from the crude oil extraction has affected the reproductive health of over 56% of women living in Bayelsa State and other states of the Niger Delta region, as most women in the region experienced early menopause before 35 years.
Speaking during the public presentation of the research report on the impact of oil extraction on women’s health and roundtable discussion on closing the gap in the host community trust organized by Kabetkache Women Development and Resource Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital on Friday, Dr Briggs said the high hydrocarbon found in the blood sample of women is the major cause of the reproductive health challenge.
He said the research carried out by the Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre on the impact of the oil extraction on women’s health in Niger Delta with the major concentration on Otuabagi community where Oloibiri oil were were first discovered in Nigeria in 1956, also indicated that most women reportedly had challenges of stillbirths, immediate post-birth deaths and premature births due to the environmental pollution from crude oil.
He said: “While majority majority of women have agreed that oil exploration has negatively affected their health, but they are uncertain if multinational oil companies or the government have built and equipped hospitals for easy access to healthcare, because existing facilities lack necessary equipment and manpower.
“Majority of women have experienced cough, nasal discharge, difficulty in breathing and noisy breathing, and most of them do not seek hospital treatment for these symptoms. These symptoms are possibly caused by air pollution from gas flaring and artisanal crude oil refining in the neighbouring communities.
“The study found out that all participating women had at least one Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in their blood with the concentrations far exceeding WHO and ATSDR limits. This contamination is likely due to ingestion of polluted food and water and possibly inhalation of polluted air.”
Dr Briggs, however called on the federal government through National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a joint investigative visit to the Oloibiri oil well 2 in Otuabagi community to permanently seal the well that continues to spill crude into farmlands and rivers.
Also speaking, the Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, said the centre hosted the report presentation in commemorate with the 2024 World Environment Day which has as it theme; ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience’ urging multinational companies to restore ecosystem before their planned divestment.
She said: “Through this event, we aim to amplify the stories of women, to advocate for our rights and to demand the necessary changes to protect our future. To demand compensation, restoration of land, health, actions to keep us alive, to resist death, resist poverty and injustice.
“The data and insights presented today will serve as a powerful tool for policymakers, community leaders and all those who strive for more equitable and sustainable future for all.”
The Traditional Ruler of Otuabagi kingdom and Abu XI of Otuabagi, Chief Amangi Daniele, commended the moved to salvage the years of suffering by the women and people of the community, calling on the authorities to help correct the injustice done to the community that produced the first wealth for Nigeria.
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