Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa recently addressed the issue of environmental degradation caused by International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company, during the Annual Convention and Fund Raising of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) of the Americas in Houston, Texas. He emphasized the urgent need for legal action against Shell and other IOCs for their role in damaging the Bayelsa environment. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, also highlighted the importance of combating oil theft and environmental pollution to preserve the ecosystem.
INC President General Prof. Benjamin Okaba expressed concerns about the impoverished state of the Ijaw nation, attributing it to neglect and exploitation. The event aimed at fostering cooperation and partnership among Ijaws in the diaspora to address the challenges faced by the community. It urged the Nigerian government and Nigerians in the diaspora to work together for the preservation of the environment and the overall well-being of the Ijaw people.