A Royal Call to Action: BSOEC Meets with King Dakolo on Oil Impact Report for Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) recently paid a formal visit to His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), the paramount ruler of Ekpetiama Kingdom- FANA and the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama in Bayelsa State. This courtesy call marked a pivotal moment in the Commission’s journey towards finalizing and presenting its highly anticipated report to the Bayelsa State governor. The King’s unwavering support for environmental justice and community welfare has been instrumental in the Commission’s work, and his role as Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Chiefs has amplified his advocacy on these issues.

The BSOEC delegation, led by its Chairman, Rt. Revd. and Rt. Hon. Lord Sentamu, Ph.D. (Cantab), was joined by prominent environmental and human rights activists, representatives from Social Action, HOMEF staff, and members of the press. Upon arrival, the delegation received a warm and ceremonious welcome from the King’s Chief of Staff, embodying the deeply rooted Ijaw traditions of hospitality and reverence for community leaders. The visitors were invited into the palace, where they awaited the King’s entrance with a sense of anticipation and respect for the occasion.

In his opening remarks, Lord Sentamu conveyed heartfelt gratitude to King Dakolo, describing him as an invaluable partner in the Commission’s investigative efforts. He emphasized that the Commission’s work, particularly in documenting the widespread ecological devastation in Bayelsa and other parts of the Niger Delta, would not have been possible without the King’s insightful guidance and proactive support. Lord Sentamu commended the King’s dedication, noting how he had made himself available on numerous occasions to facilitate the Commission’s research, often at great personal expense.

Other members of the Commission took the opportunity to recount the numerous obstacles they faced in conducting their investigation. They described not only the logistical challenges of accessing remote, heavily impacted areas but also the heartbreaking stories of local communities who have suffered from the destructive effects of oil exploration. These findings, they explained, revealed the stark realities of oil spills, gas flaring, and soil degradation that have left the region’s ecosystems in peril and jeopardized the health and livelihoods of the people of Bayelsa. The delegation praised the Bayelsa State government for initiating this landmark investigation, underscoring its potential to drive meaningful change. They expressed hope that both state and federal authorities would prioritize the report’s recommendations to restore and safeguard the affected communities.

In response, King Dakolo, who is also an environmental right campaigner and activist, expressed deep appreciation for the Commission’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind the environmental degradation in Bayelsa. He spoke passionately about the resilience of his people, who have endured unimaginable hardships from the constant exposure to toxic pollutants and the adverse effects of gas flaring. He recounted his own family’s experience, when they were forced to temporarily relocate from their ancestral home due to the intense vibrations and scorching heat from equipment tests at a nearby oil station, a mere 25 meters from his residence. “This is not just an environmental issue,” the King remarked, “but a question of human dignity, health, and survival for the people of Ekpetiama and Bayelsa State. To us the price of oil is our lives.”

He assured the delegation of his unwavering resolve to see that the report’s recommendations are fully implemented. King Dakolo pledged to use his influence within the Council of Chiefs and other traditional institutions to rally for governmental action and to ensure the findings do not “gather dust on the shelves,” as he poignantly put it.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of an oil station located alarmingly close to the palace grounds, providing a sobering firsthand view of the proximity of industrial operations to residential areas. This highlighted the urgent need for regulatory reforms and more stringent environmental protections.

The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission’s visit to King Dakolo stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between traditional institutions and civil society in addressing critical socio-environmental issues. With the report’s imminent release, there is a renewed sense of optimism and urgency to address the decades-long challenges faced by the people of Bayelsa and the Niger Delta at large.