Concerned civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have described as insensitive the intention of the government to resume oil production in Ogoniland. The CSOs met at the Port Harcourt office of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria to deliberate on the recent invitation by the office of the National Security Adviser to the President, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, to some Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to a meeting in Abuja to discuss the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. The CSOs while recognising and condemning the nation’s dependence on fossil fuel, stated that it is insensitive for this administration to open any form of discussion with handpicked group of Ogoni leaders for such talks, noting that the overall will of the majority of Ogonis is paramount in this matter.
The groups, in a statement, expressed their condemnation of the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland. This decision, according to them, 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.
The groups said: “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 Ogoniland 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 forum noted with dismay that two major issues—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 honor of GCFR on MKO Abiola and also recognizing him as the hero of democracy. It is time, Ken Saro-Wiwa is recognized and honoured as the hero of the environment and given his due honour.
It will be recalled 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.
According to the CSOs: “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 a 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.”
The groups demanded, among others, full implementation of the UNEP Report and ensuring that the clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland are prioritized and carried out transparently and effectively, and more funding should be allocated to HYPREP to hasten up their actions on the clean up. They also want a halt to all discussions on divestment until the polluted Niger Delta region is cleaned up, and transitioning to renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels to mitigate environmental harm.
“The contemplated 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,” they added.
The CSOs involved include, Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria, We The People, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) among others.
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