By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

Concerned civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have condemned in its entirety the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland, River State.

This follows an invitation by the office of the National Security Adviser to the President, Mr Nuhu Ribadu to some Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to a private meeting in Abuja where alleged resumption of oil production in Ogoniland were to be discussed.

The concerned civil society organisations who met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently to deliberate on the invite of the Ogoni leaders and intent of the meeting, said: “It is however insensitive for this administration to open any form of discussion with a handpicked group of Ogoni leaders for such talks.”

The outcome of their meeting, which was contained in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor,
Communication Lead, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), the civil society organisations said in discussing anything that has that do with all production in Ogoniland, the overall will of the majority of Ogonis should be taken into consideration rather than inviting a few for deliberation.

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The groups explained that they had expected that the 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.

The statement signed by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), We The People, Ogoni Solidarity Forum – Nigeria, Social Action, and 16 other civil society organisations, the group, while recognising and condemning the nations dependence on fossil fuel, noted that the decision to resume oil production in the area “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,” adding that “Ogoniland has been a symbol of environmental degradation caused by decades of reckless oil exploitation and decrepit equipment.”

“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,” it added.

The group, while lamenting that “despite numerous calls for justice and transparency, the Nigerian government has been slow in the implementation of the UNEP report recommendations to clean up the land effectively,” declared that any “attempt to resume oil extraction in a region already ravaged by environmental neglect further exacerbates the suffering of the people and is a affront on their right to a safe environment.”

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“It also disregards their right to free, prior, and informed consent of a fundamental principle under international law.”

Their demand

The civil society organisations, while calling for a halt to the planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland until meaningful consultation with the Ogoni people and full remediation of the damaged environment is carried out, further demanded that no oil well should be drilled in the Niger Delta.

They urged the government and the oil companies to commence immediate and total cleanup of the region, adding that one trillion United States Dollars should be earmarked for immediate clean up of the Niger Delta and compensation for loss of livelihoods.

They further demanded the “full Implementation of the UNEP Report and ensuring that the clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland are prioritized and carried out transparently and effectively.”

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They demanded further, “More funding should be allocated to HYPREP to hasten up their actions on the clean up.
Ensure justice for the Ogoni People by address historical grievances, including compensation for environmental and economic losses and accountability for decades of ecological destruction.

“Holding oil companies, particularly Shell, accountable for past environmental damages and human rights violations.

“Demilitarization of the Niger Delta and an end to the intimidation and harassment of environmental activists and local communities.

“Enforcing strict regulations on oil companies operating in Nigeria.

“Halt all discussions on divestment until the polluted Niger Delta region is cleaned up.”