A prominent Niger Delta environmentalist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has slammed governors in the region for allegedly diverting ecological funds meant to address the worsening environmental crises such as flooding and erosion.
Describing the mismanagement as a “looting jamboree,” Mulade criticised the lack of accountability and urged the federal government to enforce stricter monitoring and ensure the funds are used to alleviate the region’s ecological devastation.
Mulade emphasized that despite the over ₦600 billion disbursed by the Federal Government to various states for ecological and erosion control over the past decade, Niger Delta states, who received a significant portion of the funds, have seen little to no tangible impact.
“We commend the Federal Government for its support towards mitigating the ecological impact in flood-prone areas,” Mulade said.
“However, the situation in the Niger Delta remains dire. For over 10 years, there has been no improvement. Despite receiving huge sums, the region still suffers from perennial flooding, loss of lives, destroyed livelihoods, food shortages, and rising unemployment caused by the destruction of farmlands and crops.”
The activist did not mince words in accusing state governors of mismanaging the ecological funds, alleging that much of the money has been funnelled into personal pockets through politically motivated initiatives.
“Governors have turned the ecological fund into a looting jamboree. Instead of deploying the funds for meaningful intervention, they set up ‘political flood management committees’ that serve as avenues for siphoning funds. These committees establish makeshift IDP camps with no modern facilities, potable water, or sanitary provisions.”
He further blamed the failure of governance and endemic corruption for the continued devastation across the region, citing the absence of functional drainage systems, obstruction of natural waterways by unregulated constructions, and rampant deforestation.
Calling for a long-term solution, Mulade urged state governments in the Niger Delta to establish independent agencies with clear mandates and oversight responsibilities for managing ecological funds and flood response.
“Dedicated agencies must be set up in each Niger Delta state to handle stormwater dam construction, reopening of blocked drainage channels, and restoration of natural waterways,” he said.
Mulade’s intervention adds to growing public pressure on state authorities to improve transparency, environmental planning, and disaster response mechanisms amid worsening climate impacts in the Niger Delta.
