Climate change Enhances Criminality in the Waterway.
Katherine Abayomi
Climate Crisis, seen in many ways in Nigeria, from heatwaves, drying soil, flooding, sea level rise, and other climate-related disasters, threatens the hottest years in Africa since 2005. With about 60% of our people being peasant women and food producers who depend on agriculture and local food systems to survive, food insecurity levels are on the rise.
In alignment to the adoption of a statement from Africa people’s Counter Cop in 2022(Cop 22) of the African climate justice collective (ACJC) to advance the African Climate Justice movement by negotiating in the interests of the African people and planet to build solidarity to advocate for real solutions to climate Justice.
In this vein, Kebetkacke Women Development and Resource Center held the Fisher Flocks Assembly on 2nd October 2024, tagged “The Fishing Vocation and Climate Action,” in collaboration with African Climate Justice, African People’s Counter Cop (APCC). The assembly is meant to campaign for actions to address the intensifying challenges that are threatening African lives and livelihoods.
Dr Emen, while speaking with Journalists, stated that the fisher flock’s assembly is feeding into two larger spaces: the women’s climate change assembly and the African women’s counter Cop. She stated ;
“The objective of the gathering is to mobilize fishermen and women in selected communities in the Niger Delta to participate in the counter Cop and also indirectly participate in the UNFCCC COP 29. The Counter Cop is a programme of the African Climate Justice collective; they created the Counter Cop as a platform for community members in Africa who do not have the opportunity and also who do not have an avenue to air their views and opinions and share their experiences of how they’ve been affected by the climate crisis.
“The African People’s Counter Cop is holding this year in Senegal from October 7th to 11th, and what we are doing today is one of the peoples assembly to that counter cop.”
She further stated that the purpose of the COP is for Creating Opportunities for groups that gather and make their demands to be Integrated into the declaration that will be issued at the end of the Counter Cop.
Dr. Emem mentioned that the Fisher People’s Assembly was drawn from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta states to share experiences and provide a platform to make demands on government cooperation and the UN at large regarding what they’re experiencing as a result of climate change and their expectations from the government.
Stephen Oduware HOMEF program Coordinator, during his presentation on the fishing Vocation and climate, stated that the climate change has resulted to insecurity, which is affecting the Ecological system .
He further made a call for the need to begin a correction of the bio-diversity loss, the restructuring of the damaged ECO system, and the need to expand and improve waste management this cannot be over emphasized.
Fisher folks from the states represented shared their various ordeals, from Water pirates to Bunkering activities, kidnapping, dredging, plastic waste, and other pollution.
A fisherman with over 40years experience mentioned during the segment that the experience now and then has nothing to write home about due to dredging,plastic waste,pirates and other vices at sea and calls on government to come to their aid .
Tawiah from Delta state, Narrated that apart from climate change challenges, the trowel boats comes into the zone where they fish rather then going to the high sea ,He mentioned the issue of waste on the sea and calls on all to learn on how to manage their waste,the issue of sea pirates who comes to take their engines even kidnapping the fishermen and demanding for ransom this had happened somewhere in Delta.
Fubara Abbey Samuel, the Coordinator of Fishermen Alliance Rivers state, narrated the experiences of the fishermen.
“The issue of insecurity in the waterways because sometimes we do creek fishing, they are a lot of piracy and criminal activities and the water flows with tide and certain fish moves with it so it requires fishermen to go out in the night and in the past two, three years it has become very risky and also the bunkering activities is nothing to write home about it really reduces the amount of catch every Fisherman will have”
Abbey calls on all those responsible to come to their rescue.
The Assembly also noted the increased use of chemicals for fishing, dynamite, and other poisonous substances. These dirty industries destroy Mother Nature—her forests, rivers, seas, and land—as well as the small and large animals,plants, and other living beings we live with and depend on for life and livelihood.
The Assembly also noted the exclusion of women, who have lived through the climate crisis every day and who have important knowledge to solve the crisis, from decision making about development, climate change, and real climate solutions. The assembly also noted the increase in the circulation of seeds (genetically modified) which companies, sometimes with the support of our governments, bring into the communities, which is unhealthy and unethical, it destroys our soils, and pollute our waters.
At the end of the assembly, Kebetkache reached a communique with recommendations, such as corporations paying for the environmental damage caused to rivers, creeks, and other water bodies. The government should make clear policies and commitments to protect the environment, mangrove forests, and water bodies.
They are also demanding water justice and a healthy habitat for our sea foods.The Assembly says no to Climate disasters such as flooding, storms, conflict, displacement, and forced migration, insisting that polluters be held accountable! There should be Respect for our (community) beliefs and practices, our ancestors, and our sacred places. None should be violated in development projects and oil extractive projects.
There also called for Clean energy solutions that serve community members, particularly women, and our communities, with full community control. Stating that the Niger Delta Women demand the immediate halt to IOCs Divestment, without the full Ecosystem Restoration.
