A coalition of 21 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Niger Delta has condemned the Federal Government’s proposed resumption of crude oil extraction in Ogoniland.
The extraction activities had ceased in 1993 due to unrest, and despite several attempts, oil production has remained dormant in the area
Dr Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, spoke on behalf of the coalition in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
She criticised the planned private meeting between representatives of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and selected stakeholders from Ogoniland to discuss the resumption of oil extraction.
Okon described the meeting as insensitive to the longstanding sufferings of the Ogoni people, highlighting the nation’s ongoing reliance on fossil fuels as detrimental to the environment and local communities.
“This decision disregards the enduring environmental, social and economic injustices faced by the Ogoni people.
“It undermines efforts towards sustainable development, environmental justice, community empowerment, and the cleanup of the devastated Ogoni environment,” she stated.
She referenced the 2011 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, which documented severe pollution caused by oil spills, gas flaring, and inadequate remediation, leaving the land, water, and air heavily contaminated.
She claimed that the livelihoods and health of the Ogoni people had suffered immeasurably with no accountability from the oil industry and inadequate redress from the government.
Okon called for a multi-stakeholder meeting in Ogoniland to address the people’s plight, tackle poverty and hunger caused by environmental degradation, and agree on solutions to improve living conditions in the area.
She urged the Federal Government to honour environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, as a hero of the environment and posthumously recognise his contributions.
The executive director emphasised that any discussion regarding oil production must prioritise justice, environmental restoration, and meaningful participation of the Ogoni people.
According to her, any attempt to resume oil extraction without first engaging in discussions would amount to an affront on their right to a safe environment.
“Consequently, we demand an immediate halt to all plans for oil extraction in Ogoniland until meaningful consultations with the Ogoni people are conducted,’’ Okon said.
The group also demanded full remediation of the damaged environment in the Niger Delta, and full implementation of the UNEP Report.
The demand included immediate and total cleanup of the region, with no less than $1 trillion earmarked for environmental restoration and compensation for lost livelihoods.
The group further petitioned for increased funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), review of the trial of the Ogoni 13, and enforcement of strict regulations on oil companies, among others.
The coalition includes groups such as the Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Ogoni Solidarity Forum, Nigeria, South South Youths Initiative, Peoples Advancement Centre and Environmental Rights Actions.
Others are Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Social Action, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Peace Point Development Foundation, and Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, among others.
