Concerned civil society organizations in the Niger Delta convened at the Port Harcourt office of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria to discuss a recent invitation extended by the office of the National Security Adviser to the President, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu. The invitation was addressed to selected Ogoni leaders and stakeholders for a private meeting in Abuja to deliberate on the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
In their deliberations, the organizations expressed strong condemnation of the government’s move, labeling it insensitive and neglectful of the majority will of the Ogoni people. The groups highlighted that any discussion about oil production should involve broad, inclusive consultations rather than select, handpicked leaders.
In a statement released by the coalition of civil groups, including Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria, South South Youths Initiative, Peoples Advancement Centre, Environmental Rights Action, Kebetkache Women Development Centre, Social Action, Lekeh Development Centre, Rainbowwatch Development Centre, Kalop Environmental Centre, Pilex Centre, and HEDA Resource Centre, unequivocally condemned the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland.
The statement emphasized that this decision undermines the enduring environmental, social, and economic injustices faced by the Ogoni people and thwarts efforts towards sustainable development and environmental justice. Ogoniland has long been a symbol of severe environmental degradation caused by decades of irresponsible oil exploitation. Reports, including the UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland of 2011, have documented catastrophic consequences of oil spills, gas flaring, and inadequate remediation efforts, leaving the land, water, and air polluted and affecting the livelihoods and health of the Ogoni people.
The civil groups voiced their expectations for the administration to call for a multi-stakeholder meeting in Ogoniland to address the poverty and hunger resulting from environmental degradation. They pointed out that since democracy was restored in 1999, significant issues like June 12 and the Ogoni struggle have plagued the nation. While the government has recognized MKO Abiola as the hero of democracy by conferring a national honor on him, they stressed that it is time to similarly honor Ken Saro-Wiwa as a hero of the environment.
Despite numerous calls for justice, the Nigerian government has been slow in implementing the UNEP report recommendations for effective cleanup. The government’s reluctance to contribute to the ongoing cleanup and its blind eye to continuing destructive oil activities were also criticized. The attempt to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland, a region ravaged by environmental neglect, was seen as exacerbating the suffering of the people and violating their right to a safe environment.
The coalition demanded the halting of all plans for resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland until meaningful consultations with the Ogoni people and full remediation of the damaged environment are achieved. They called for a comprehensive cleanup of the Niger Delta region, with substantial funding, and for holding oil companies, particularly Shell, accountable for past environmental damages. They also demanded the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other martyrs, the release of the confiscated Ken Saro-Memorial Bus sculpture, and the implementation of strict regulations on oil companies.
In closing, the groups reiterated their solidarity with the Ogoni people in their fight for justice, sustainable development, and respect for their rights to a clean and healthy environment. They warned that any attempt to resume oil activities without addressing historical injustices would only deepen the mistrust between the government, oil companies, and local communities, threatening the environment and future generations.