World Environment Day: Niger Delta groups demand full compliance with PIA, cleanup, end to gas flaring

Major groups in the Niger Delta used the opportunity of the World Environment Day (WED) to demand for full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (as it affects host communities). They also demanded for cleanup of the oil region beyond Ogoni in Rivers State, and end to gas flaring.

One of the groups is a coalition of many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whereas the other a multipurpose NGO that seeks to mobilise over one million security volunteers in the Gulf of Guinea.

The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) for Oil, Gas and Mining Host Communities led by Lawrence Dube, made a call for the full implementation of the PIA, while the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) led by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface wants cleanup of the oil region and end to gas flaring.

The National Civil Society Coalition which joined the international community in commemorating the 2026 World Environment Day said the occasion was important occasion to remind humanity of collective responsibility to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and safeguard the rights and livelihoods of vulnerable communities whose survival depends on a healthy ecosystem.

The Coalition demanded for full compliance with the PIA and Host Communities Development Trust Provisions. It said: “Oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria must fully comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, especially the provisions relating to Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs). Host communities must be meaningfully involved in the governance, implementation, and monitoring of trust-funded projects and development initiatives.

The Coalition also called for compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and Community Development Agreements Mining companies operating across Nigeria.

The call included environmental remediation and restoration. “We urge the government and extractive companies to prioritize environmental remediation and ecological restoration in polluted and degraded communities.”

The Coalition called for the protection of the rights of host communities, environmental activists, women leaders, youth advocates, and civil society actors working to promote environmental justice and accountability.

The Coalition noted that Nigeria’s extractive sector must operate in a manner that respects human rights, protects the environment, promotes peace, and supports sustainable development. Economic benefits from natural resource extraction must not come at the expense of the health, dignity, and survival of host communities.

On amending the PIA, the Coalition called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that any proposed amendments or reforms to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 do not undermine the rights, protections, and developmental interests of host communities. “It must strengthen (rather than weaken) community inclusion and participation, environmental accountability, benefit-sharing mechanisms, transparency, and corporate responsibility to oil-producing communities.”

They promised to oppose any plans to reduce what the communities already have in the Act. They demanded for inclusive governance and community participation and that women and girls, youth, traditional institutions, and community-based organizations must be actively included in discussions relating to environmental management, development planning, remediation programs, and resource governance.

YEAC-Nigeria: We can’t build the future by destroying Nature:

YEAC-Nigeria through Fyneface, the Executive Director says it: “We cannot build our future by destroying nature. World Environment Day 2026 challenges us to return to natural solutions, invest in climate resilience, and ensure that youths and communities in the Niger Delta are not left behind. For climate. For our future. The time to act is now.”

YEAC-Nigeria thus called on the Nigerian government, oil companies, and international partners to accelerate the cleanup of polluted sites and end gas flaring in the Niger Delta; increase investment in community-led renewable energy and green jobs for youths and women; and strengthen climate adaptation measures to protect communities facing floods and rising sea levels.

The group said: “In the Niger Delta, we see daily, the cost of environmental degradation: gas flaring, oil spills, flooding, and loss of livelihoods. Yet we also see hope. Through community solar mini-grids, ideal waste-to-energy projects, and youth-led climate campaigns, we are proving that a just energy transition is possible when it is inspired by nature and led by the people most affected.”