A university lecturer, Dr. Simon Amaduoboha, has decried poor attitude to the environment and lack of remediation projects to cushion the adverse impacts of oil exploration in Niger Delta region.

Amaduoboha, a Senior Lecturer at Niger Delta University in Bayelsa, stated this on Friday at the opening of a two-day youth training on environmental laws, rights and conventions in Yenagoa.

He noted that political leaders from the Niger Delta region have used the environmental degradation to advocate greater share of oil revenue resulting in 13 per cent derivation.

He regretted that the political class has been selfish as the proceeds of the oil derivation have not impacted the environment and oil communities.

Amaduoboha, who was a resource person at the youth training for 100 youths between the ages of 13 and 20 drawn from the eight Local Government Areas in Bayelsa urged youths to join the efforts to preserve the environment.

He said that the training would empower the youths with requisite laws at an early stage to appreciate the need for conservation and protection of the environment.

He said that there was a need to sensitise the youths on the adverse impact of using fossil fuels and emission of poisonous gases which degrade the environment and trigger climate change.

Mr Nosa Tokumbo, a lawyer at Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said the group was undertaking the project in three pilot states of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa Rivers and Edo.

He said that the project aims to highlight existing laws that regulate oil industry activities and strengthen the youths to take steps to know and protect their rights to a sustainable environment.

Miss Anita Doifie, one of the participants said that the idea of sensitising the youths to lead advocacy for the environment was a welcome development.

“It is good to have the knowledge and have it grounded so that we can in the future when we come of age enforce these environmental and human rights and laws,” Doifie said.

The training featured lecture on fundamental human rights, environmental laws, treaties and conventions and protocols that relate to the environment.

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