The Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a three-day retreat organised for staff of the NDDC Directorate of Environmental Protection and Control in Uyo.
A statement issued by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, on Wednesday, disclosed that the retreat was tagged: “Environmental Management and Competence Development: Nurturing Sustainability in the Workplace.”
Represented by the Akwa Ibom State representative on the NDDC Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, Ogbuku said that the retreat was thought-provoking and germane.
He emphasised the need for collaboration in the efforts to effectively manage environmental challenges in the region.
The NDDC Director of Environmental Control and Protection, Engr. Onuoha Obeka, highlighted the critical role played by environmental management in the society.
According to him, “The challenges we face today – climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss – demand our immediate attention and innovative solutions.
“Our collective efforts aim not only to enhance our understanding of these issues but also to equip us with the necessary competences to implement effective strategies in our respective fields.”
While insisting that sustainability was no longer just an ideal, Obeka said “It is a necessity that must be integrated into every aspect of our economic activities.”
He also said the workplace is a powerful arena where workers’ choices can lead to profound change.
“By nurturing sustainability within it, we can drive positive outcomes that benefit our communities, economies and the environment,” he added.
While presenting a paper entitled “Sustaining the Niger Delta: Bridging Environmental Responsibility and Professional Growth: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future,” an environmental scientist and lecturer at the University of Lagos, Professor Lucian Chukwu, analysed the impact of organic pollution and its devastating effects on ecosystems.
His words: “Organic pollutants are substances that originate from living organisms and can disrupt the balance of our environment.
“They are often by-products of agricultural practices, industrial discharges, and household wastes.
“Left unchecked, they can lead to contamination of soil and water, creating habitats where toxic microbes thrive.”
He described Niger Delta as the heart-beat of Nigeria’s economy with rich natural resources and cultural heritage as well as mangrove forests that once covered about 7,000 square kilometers.
He decried that, over the years, there had been an imbalance between harnessing the resources for economic growth and ensuring preservation of the environment, hence, the region was at a critical juncture, due to decades of oil exploration and inadequate regulation.
Chukwu, while addressing the issue of sustainability agenda, said it was necessary to create a future where the Niger delta’s natural resources were preserved for future generations, while also improving the quality of life for its residents.
To achieve this, there was a need for commitment, collaboration, and innovative solutions from development agencies such as the NDDC, he said.
Chukwu asserted that “a sustainable future for the Niger Delta, required prioritising professional development and investing in capacity-building initiatives to enhance skills and knowledge, in order to create a thriving and resilient Niger Delta.”
While emphasizing the need to align professional goals with environmental responsibility, Chukwu maintained that doing so will foster a future where economic prosperity does not come at the expense of ecological integrity.
