Reps Committee Urges Multinational Companies To Imbibe Practices That Prioritize Environmental Stewardship, Community Well-being

 Reps Committee Urges Multinational Companies To Imbibe Practices That Prioritize Environmental Stewardship, Community Well-being

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has urged multinational companies operating in the country to work towards sustainable practices that prioritize environmental stewardship and community well-being. 

The chairman, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, made this call when he led members of the committee on a two-day assessment visit to Rivers State to investigate the activities of multinational companies operating in the Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, following a petition by Bridge the Gap Initiative in Education and Health in Nigeria.

The committee visited four prominent companies located in the layout, including Halliburton Ltd, Coca-Cola, Schlumberger, and International Breweries, and observed that the activities of these multinationals have caused severe pollution of the Mini Okoro River, a vital water source for the community, posing significant health risks to residents. 

The committee urged the companies to take immediate action to address the pollution while pledging to ensure justice for the people of Rivers State.

As part of their assessment visit to Rivers state, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, Chairman of the  Committee, led his colleagues to meet with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The visit aimed to brief the governor on their mission and to express their condolences for the recent tragic explosion at the Eleme Petrochemical company which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties. 

The committee also emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Rivers State and to prevail on multinational companies operating in the state to adhere to environmental standards.