Nigerian environmental groups have opposed the government’s plan to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers state, demanding that meaningful consultations with local communities be concluded before any operations resume.
This was disclosed in a joint statement issued on Tuesday by more than 20 environmental organizations, including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum.
The groups argued that resuming oil activities without addressing long-standing environmental and social concerns would undermine ongoing efforts toward environmental justice and the $1 billion Ogoniland cleanup project, which began in 2018 following a 2011 United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) study.
“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,” the statement read.
Community concerns and demands
Ogoniland, located in Nigeria’s Rivers State, has long been a flashpoint for environmental degradation in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. For decades, oil spills and pollution have devastated local livelihoods, leading to widespread agitation and calls for accountability from the government and oil companies.
In a 14-point demand issued on Tuesday, the environmental groups condemned the government for allegedly engaging with select individuals from the region rather than the broader Ogoni community. They insist that any attempt to resume oil production must prioritize the full implementation of the UNEP report, which recommended a comprehensive cleanup of the area.
“We stand in solidarity with the Ogoni people in their fight for justice and sustainable development,” the groups added.
Among their demands are a $1 trillion commitment for cleanup and compensation, the immediate release of a confiscated Saro-Wiwa memorial sculpture, and the inclusion of all stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu recently held talks with Rivers State governor and other stakeholders regarding the Ogoniland situation, with discussions reportedly centered on balancing economic interests with environmental concerns.
