…bags GICES award for excellence in environmental services to mankind
Ex-Governor of Bayelsa and a serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson has said due to decades of oil exploration, all rivers in his home state are filled by crude.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Dickson made this revelation after receiving an award by a coalition of environmental NGOs under the aegis of Global Initiative For Climate And Environmental Sustenance, GICES on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex.
The former governor who is also the Chairman Senate Committee on Climate and Ecology had also bagged a similar award in the United Kingdom recently.
As Governor of Bayelsa, he initiated a multi-pronged approach towards protecting and preserving the Bayelsa environment.
He employed over 200 forest protection officers, that were recruited into the ministry of environment with the aim to monitor deforestation and stop the reckless fallen of trees in the state.
His mission and vision to a higher level, towards tackling the issues of environmental terrorism and degradation caused by oil companies in the Niger Delta region.
These developments were adequately captured in his citation at the event:
During his tenure as governor
he empaneled an International Commission on Oi Spills to assess environmental damages, determine responsibility, and develop a new legal framework for accountability and compensation These team of world leaders brought together by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson includes:
The former President of Ghana, Emmanuel Kuffour, the Archbishop of York Dr. John Setanmu, as well as notable academicians to address the harrowing issues of environmental despoliation as well as related challenges in the oil industry.
While inaugurating the commission in 2019 which also had other notable personalities like; Prof. Engobo Emeseh, Head of the School of Law, University of Bradford, Professor Anna Zolik, Dr. Anna Zalik, both of the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, Dr. Catherine Nwajoku-Dahou, an international independent consultant.
During the inauguration of this commission. His Excellency Senator Henry Seriake Dickson read out the commission’s mandate: which are that, the Commission on Oil Spills in Bayelsa State shall investigate the facts and current circumstances surrounding oil spills and their environmental human impact.
To that end, the Commission shall:
(a) establish the facts,
(b) quantify the impact of oil spills,
(c) determine responsibilities and, where possible, identify those responsible and,
(d) make recommendations, including, in particular, on a suitable accountability framework.
It is pertinent to note that the Archbishop of York chaired an independent Commission on the Future of the Living Wage.
This flowed from his work as the sponsor of the fairness commission in York for the Commission on the Degradation of the Environment.
The above are members of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) who on the completion of this assignment formally presented the final report of their investigation into the impact of oil exploration activities on Bayelsa state to the international community at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time a politician/seasoned administrator has led such a high-powered advocacy for the people of the Niger Delta region by using global best standards of diplomacy and strategic engagement.
His vision for a healthy environment and just compensation for impacted communities has the potential to transform the lives of Bayelsa citizens, the people of the Niger Delta region and even the global impact on Ecology and Climate Change as this has set a precedent for the entire region.
Distinguished Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s dedication to environmental responsibility, social corporate responsibility, and enforcement of evaluation standards demonstrates his willingness to hold corporations and agencies accountable for their actions.
His Excellency’s contribution to saving the environment and protecting the future of Bayelsa and the Niger Delta is an inspiring example of responsible governance and leadership. It is true that some prominent Niger Delta sons such as Ken Sarowiwa have led this struggle in the past.
However, it is worthy of note that this is the first time a politician is leading this struggle.
The difference is that though our fathers employed the use of activism, his Excellency Senator Seriake Dickson is deploying the wise tools of advocacy, engagements using superior reasoning strategies, interventions and intellectual engagements. Little wonder his new appointment as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology/Climate Change, in the tenth senate of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Consequently, we as a Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations with core values on Environment, Ecology and Climate Change hereby confer on him “AN EXCELLENCE IN ENVIROMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD 2023 “for his contributions and stewardship in sustaining a healthy environment while serving as Governor of Bayelsa State between 2012 and 2020.
