By Adewale Sanyaolu
Environmentalists and activists are demanding a $1 trillion commitment for clean-up and compensation for Ogoniland.
They are equally calling for the immediate release of a confiscated Saro-Wiwa memorial sculpture, and a full implementation of the U.N. report that recommended a comprehensive clean-up of Ogoniland.
The More than 20 groups, including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum condemned government plan to resume oil production in the restive Ogoniland.
The groups criticised the plan, saying it disregards the environmental and social damage caused by decades of oil extraction.
They therefore called a halt in the plan until meaningful talks with local communities are completed.
Ogoniland, in Nigeria’s coastal Rivers state, is a flashpoint for pollution in the oil-rich Niger River delta region where a $1 billion clean up was launched in 2018 following a comprehensive 2011 United Nations Environmental Programme study.
In a 14-point demand, the groups slammed the government for initiating talks with a select group from the region, arguing it undermines efforts towards environmental justice and a cleanup of the heavily polluted environment.
“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 groups said in a statement.
Ogoniland locals have a storied history of resistance to oil extraction on their land. Their struggle gained international attention in the 1990s with the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders by the then-Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha.
“We stand in solidarity with the Ogoni people in their fight for justice and sustainable development,” the groups concluded.
President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday at the State House met Ogoni leaders with an assurance that his administration would prioritise peace, justice and sustainable development in the area.
He appealed to Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development and a clean environment. The meeting had in attendance diverse group of attendees, comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders, and prominent political figures from the region including Senators Magnus Abe, Lee Maeba, Bennett Birabi Barry Mpigi and Joe Poroma, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii and Leedom Mitee.
The primary agenda of the meeting centred on the potential resumption of oil exploration activities in the Ogoni oil fields, an area that has faced years of stagnation due to environmental concerns and community protests.
The discussion also aimed to assess the progress made in ongoing cleanup initiatives following decades of oil spills and environmental degradation in Ogoniland. The Federal Government had expressed increasing concern over the long-standing cessation of oil exploration by International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Ogoniland.
Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, represented the government during the meeting.
He highlighted that this prolonged standstill has significantly impacted Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), particularly in light of the recent energy crisis exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies.
At the meeting, President Tinubu passionately called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.
“We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” he said.
President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations as he called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.
He commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and emphasised the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region.
“We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” he said.