morganable News / communities
Civil society organisations have rejected plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland, Rivers State, demanding environmental cleanup, justice and proper consultation with affected communities before any new exploration begins.
Lagos —
Plans to restart oil production in Ogoniland have continued to attract opposition from environmental organisations and community groups, who insist that the government must address years of pollution before allowing fresh oil activities in the area.
The organisations argue that reopening oil wells without completing environmental restoration could expose residents to further damage. They also want the Federal Government to address outstanding concerns about compensation, transparency and the welfare of affected communities.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt on November 12, a coalition of civil society and environmental groups called for an immediate suspension of activities connected to the proposed oil resumption.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Dr Celestine Akpobari, Executive Director of Miideekor Environmental Centre, said the proposed resumption was unacceptable without comprehensive environmental restoration and genuine consultation with the Ogoni people.
Decades of Pollution Remain a Major Concern
Oil exploration has remained a sensitive issue in Ogoniland because of its long history of environmental damage and community protests.
For decades, residents have raised concerns about oil spills, contaminated waterways and damaged farmland. These problems have affected fishing, farming and other activities that provide income for many households.
The situation has also increased concerns about access to safe water and the possible health effects of environmental pollution.
Oil production in Ogoniland stopped in 1993 following years of agitation over environmental degradation, economic marginalisation and demands for greater control over local resources.
Although the suspension brought an end to commercial oil production in the area, many residents have continued to demand a lasting solution to the damage caused by previous operations.
The latest opposition reflects concerns that restarting production before resolving these problems could place communities at further risk.
The coalition stressed that its position was not against development or dialogue. Instead, it argued that environmental protection and the rights of residents must guide every decision about the future of oil exploration.
UNEP Report Remains Central to the Debate
A major part of the disagreement concerns the environmental assessment conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2011.
The report documented extensive hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland, including contamination of soil, groundwater and waterways. It also recommended urgent measures to protect public health and restore affected areas.
UNEP recommended an initial $1 billion funding commitment for the first five years of the cleanup programme. It also called for the establishment of an adequately funded restoration authority to coordinate the work.
The assessment became an important foundation for discussions about environmental recovery in the region.
However, fifteen years after its release, environmental campaigners continue to question the pace and effectiveness of the restoration process.
They argue that communities still need clear evidence of progress and assurances that the cleanup will address the full extent of the damage.
For the coalition, restarting oil production while these concerns remain unresolved could weaken public confidence in the restoration programme.
It therefore wants the government to prioritise the completion of the recommended cleanup before considering fresh extraction activities.
Groups Question Transparency of Dialogue Process
Beyond environmental restoration, the organisations have raised concerns about the transparency of discussions between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders.
The Ogoni Dialogue Committee, inaugurated in January 2025, was established as part of efforts to address the longstanding disagreement over oil exploration and the future of the area.
However, the coalition questioned how some decisions and development commitments connected to the dialogue process were being handled.
It called on the government and relevant institutions to publish a detailed account of commitments made, including those already fulfilled and those still outstanding.
The organisations also requested clarification about financial arrangements involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Sahara Energy and other stakeholders.
They want the public to understand how funds connected to the dialogue process have been allocated and how affected communities will benefit.
The coalition further called for the publication of the names of Ogoni indigenes employed by federal agencies under the confidence-building programme.
According to the organisations, transparency is necessary to rebuild trust and ensure that development opportunities reach the intended beneficiaries.
Communities Demand a Stronger Voice
Another major concern is the level of participation residents have in decisions affecting their land and resources.
The organisations insist that women, young people, traditional institutions and civil society representatives must have meaningful roles in the dialogue process.
They argue that no agreement should be reached without the free, prior and informed consent of the affected communities.
This demand reflects a wider concern about how governments and companies engage with communities where natural resources are extracted.
For residents, participation should go beyond attending meetings. They want their concerns considered before major decisions are taken.
The coalition also called for the delivery of outstanding development projects, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential infrastructure.
These demands are important because environmental recovery alone may not address the wider economic challenges facing communities in Ogoniland.
Many households need better access to public services and opportunities that can support their livelihoods.
Environmental Justice and Livelihoods at Stake
The disagreement over oil resumption is also connected to the economic future of Ogoniland.
Fishing and farming remain important activities for many residents. However, environmental pollution can affect the quality of land and water needed to sustain these livelihoods.
When farmland becomes contaminated or fishing activities decline, households may lose important sources of income.
Young people may also struggle to find employment when local economic activities are affected.
The organisations therefore want the government to consider the long-term consequences of oil production rather than focus only on the economic benefits of restarting operations.
They also warned against the use of intimidation or force to impose oil activities on communities that have not given their consent.
Their position is that any future arrangement must respect residents’ rights and provide clear environmental safeguards.
Government Faces Pressure to Address Concerns
The Federal Government now faces the challenge of balancing its economic interests with environmental protection and the demands of affected communities.
Oil remains an important part of Nigeria’s economy. However, the experience of Ogoniland shows why resource development must also consider public health, environmental safety and community welfare.
The coalition has called for an independent and adequately funded restoration authority, stronger accountability for previous pollution and wider participation in decisions about the area’s future.
It also wants original oil operators to remain accountable for environmental damage linked to their activities, even where companies have transferred or divested their assets.
As discussions about oil production continue, the government will need to address these concerns if it hopes to build confidence among residents.
For the people of Ogoniland, the debate goes beyond reopening oil wells. It concerns the right to live in a safe environment, protect local livelihoods and participate in decisions affecting their future.
The organisations maintain that environmental cleanup and justice must come before renewed oil production.
