Concerned civil society organisations have faulted the recent invitation by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, to some Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to a meeting in Abuja to discuss the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
While condemning the nation’s continuing dependence on fossil fuel, the environmental activists insisted that it is, however, insensitive for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to begin consultations and discussions with select Ogoni leaders, noting that the overall will of the majority of Ogoni remains paramount in this matter.
Also following a visit by some Ogoni leaders to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on January 21, 2025, the groups met at the Port Harcourt, Rivers State Office of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) where they condemned purported planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland.
This decision disregards the enduring environmental, social, and economic injustices faced by the Ogoni people and undermines efforts toward sustainable development, environmental justice, community empowerment and cleanup of the devastated environment
Ogoniland has been a symbol of environmental degradation caused by decades of reckless oil exploitation and decrepit equipment.
Reports, including the UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland of 2011, have documented the catastrophic consequences of oil spills, gas flaring, and poor remediation efforts, leaving the land, water and air severely polluted. The livelihoods and health of the Ogoni people have suffered immeasurably, with no substantial accountability from the oil industry or adequate redress from the government.
The groups explained that they had expected that this administration would have called for a multi stakeholder meeting in Ogoni land to listen to the plight of the Ogonis and also agree with them on how best to tackle the poverty and hunger occasioned by their loss of livelihoods caused by years of pollution and resultant poisoning of their land and waters.
In a resolution paper made available to journalists by Media and Communication Lead of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), ‘Kome Odhomor, the groups noted with dismay that two major issues, namely: June 12 and the Ogoni struggle were plaguing the nation when democracy was restored in 1999.
“The matter of June 12 has been settled with the Federal Government conferring a national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late M.K.O. Abiola and also recognizing him as the hero of Nigeria’s democracy. In the same manner, Ken Saro-Wiwa should be recognized and honoured as the hero of the environment and given his due honour.
“Despite numerous calls for justice and transparency, the Nigerian government has been slow in the implementation of recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) report to clean up the land effectively. It is also on record that the government of Nigeria is reluctant to contribute to the ongoing cleanup of Ogoniland and is keeping a blind eye to the atrocious continuation of destructive oil activities across the Niger Delta.
“The attempt to resume oil extraction in a region already ravaged by environmental neglect further exacerbates the suffering of the people and is an affront on their right to a safe environment. It also disregards their right to free, prior and informed consent, a fundamental principle under international law,” they stated.
The groups are, Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI); Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF); Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA); Ogoni Solidarity Forum; South-South Youths Initiative; Peoples Advancement Centre; Environmental Rights Action; Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre; Social Action; We The People; Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and Lekeh Development Centre.
Others are Rainbowwatch Development Centre; Kalop Environmental Centre; Pilex Centre; CEE-HOPE; HEDA Resource Centre; Peace Point Development Foundation; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) and Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL).
Their demands include, a halt all plans for resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland until there is meaningful consultation with the Ogoni people and full remediation of the damaged environment, insisting that no oil well should be drilled in the Niger Delta and the government, and the oil companies should commence immediate and total cleanup of the region.
“One trillion United States Dollars should be earmarked for immediate clean up of the Niger Delta and compensation for loss of livelihoods, just as there should be immediate review of the Kangaroo Military trial and execution of ken Saro-Wiwa with other martyrs and their exoneration.
“There should be immediate and unconditional release of the confiscated Ken Saro-Memorial Bus sculpture held by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) since 2015 and full implementation of the UNEP Report, while ensuring that the clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland are prioritized and carried out transparently and effectively.
“More funding should be allocated to HYPREP to hasten up their actions on the clean up, while ensuring justice for the Ogoni People by addressing historical grievances, including compensation for environmental and economic losses and accountability for decades of ecological destruction,” they said.
Other demands include that community participation and guarantee that decisions affecting Ogoniland follow the respect for the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the communities and that oil companies, particularly Shell, should be held accountable for past environmental damages and human rights violations.
“We demand demilitarization of the Niger Delta and an end to the intimidation and harassment of environmental activists and local communities, enforcement of strict regulations on oil companies operating in Nigeria and a halt to all discussions on divestments until the polluted Niger Delta region is cleaned up.
“Transitioning to renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels to mitigate environmental harm. The planned resumption of oil operations in Ogoniland poses a significant threat to the fundamental human rights of the Ogoni people and negates Nigeria’s effort at tackling climate change.
“These include the right to a clean and healthy environment, the right to health, and the right to life. Any attempt to impose extractive activities without addressing these historical injustices will only deepen the mistrust between the government, oil companies and local communities.
“Resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland is not only a betrayal of the Ogoni struggle, but also a threat to the environment and future generations and a false hope that colonial extractivism promotes positive development. We stand in solidarity with the Ogoni people in their fight for justice and sustainable development.”
