The Programme Manager, HOMEF, Stephen Oduware, made the call in Okoro-Utip, Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State over the weekend during a farmers' training on land restoration against land grabbing. Oduware, who noted that oil producing communities have lost their lands through pollution and resource mining, charged the people to begin the process of reclaiming their lands.
All we are saying is that, that needs to stop not just in Okoro-Utip but in entire Niger Delta where all forms of mining are taking place.' He therefore said there should be environmental justice for the people because they have paid the price of the exploration and exploitation of the mineral resources, adding that a lot of people in the communities are down with chronic diseases, such as cancer.