In a bid to prefer solutions to the developmental challenges in the Niger Delta region, four universities in the South South are set for collaborative research work to enhance understanding of the region’s challenges.
The institutions lamented the lack of research funds and appealed for more support from government at all levels.
Chartered by their enabling laws, the mandates of the participating institutions include conservation of forest and marine resources, environmental pollution, flooding, erosion, conflict resolution and peace studies, and history, language and culture of the peoples of the oil rich region.
They admitted research is fund intensive, but urged support from government, adding that research can contribute to planning and implementation of appropriate intervention policies and strategies.
The quartet of participating institutions are Centre for Research and Development, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers state, Institute for Niger-Delta Studies, Niger-Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa, Centre for Water and Sanitation, Rivers state University, Port Harcourt, Rivers state and Centre for Niger-Delta Studies, Delta state University, Abraka, Delta state.
Director, Centre for Niger-Delta Studies, Delta state University Abraka, Professor Peter Ottuh, who spoke with reporters after a strategic meeting at Niger-Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa, yesterday, said a committee is to be set up to formulate areas of collaboration with a view to pooling resources together and presenting a common front on issues.
Ottuh said the four universities will focus on solving Niger-Delta issues through collaborative research by organising conferences, seminars, colloquium and workshops.
He said funding issues can be tackled through partnerships with international agencies, government and not-for-profit organisations.
Ottuh commended Professor Asagba, Vice Chancellor, Delta state University Abraka, for his steadfast commitment and support for the initiative.
Corroborating his counterpart from Delta state University, Prof Elliot Sibiri, Director, Institute for Niger-Delta Studies, NDU, Amassoma, said collaboration is imperative the initiative to be successful.
He advocated for artisanal refiners to be coopted into the mainstream oil refining process, as they possess the technical knowledge of crude oil refining.
He urged the government to scrutinise the activities of artisanal refiners whose activities pose environmental issues, stressing that JV partners are not liable for spills (often outside the right-of-way of pipelines).
A former Acting Director, Institute for Niger-Delta Studies, NDU, Amassoma, Prof Sunday Abraye, said ” Niger-Delta has a shared cultural heritage, so when problems crop up, it occurs in similar patterns and has the potential of spiralling into neighbouring communities.
Collaborating will help us understand our differences as well as our similarities and help us make recommendations”.
