Organs of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Caritas Nigeria and Justice Development for Peace Commission (JDPC) have advised President-elect, Muhammdu Buhari not to embark on oil exploration in the Lake Chad basin just to raise the economic stakes of the North, but rather consider the environmental and economic implications.
The groups gave the advice following the promise Buhari made last Sunday, April 19, while playing host to the Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima, as well as Traditional Rulers and Elders from the state who paid him a congratulatory visit at his Kaduna residence.
Caritas Nigeria and the JDPC communicated their advice via a press statement signed by their Executive Secretary, Reverend Father, Evaristus Bassey.
“The decision to commence oil prospecting, however, should not be approached with haste and certainly not from a sentimental reason of a balancing act between the North and South.
“From a more rational scientific perspective, fossil fuel is one of the greatest causes of environmental degradation and global warming.
“It should not be that while other nations of the world are researching into ways of alternative and efficient energy, we in Africa are still hooked to ideas that promote carbon emissions,” the statement read in part.
kp ur advice to ur,we,in d north also want oil we hv it,d enviroment degradation wl b take care of,bcos we hv abundant land in d north