The revival of oil extraction in Ogoniland, Rivers State, after 31 years has sparked apprehension among environmentalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), raising pressing questions about the future of the region. As oil operations restart, calls for a sustainable path forward beyond oil have intensified.
At the 2nd Civil Society Dialogue on HYPREP and Ogoni, themed “Ogoni Beyond Oil is Possible,” Celestine Akpobari, Executive Director of the People Advancement Centre, underscored the ecological hardships Ogoniland has faced from prolonged environmental damage, land deprivation, and destructive extraction practices. Despite HYPREP’s progress in the cleanup, bolstered by a $10 million contribution from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Akpobari emphasized the necessity for vigilant monitoring of HYPREP’s activities by CSOs to ensure transparency and accountability. Expanding cleanup efforts beyond Ogoniland was also urged due to ongoing pollution throughout the region.
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Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), warned that divestment without adequate cleanup resources would be a sham. “Those who seek to divest must first demonstrate they’ve provided sufficient resources for the full cleanup of the Niger Delta, or else their divestment intentions are deceptive,” Bassey stated. He stressed that oil companies’ handover deals lacking meaningful change only serve to mislead the public, calling for government oversight and transparency.
Representing HYPREP, communications unit lead Kpobari Nafo highlighted the agency’s willingness to collaborate with CSOs, urging partnerships to ensure the project’s success. “Civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting transparency,” Nafo remarked, calling on CSOs to pinpoint areas for improvement and explore funding opportunities to support expanded cleanup needs.
The situation in Ogoniland has intensified debates on balancing economic and environmental interests, as the cleanup project continues to face funding and operational challenges that must be met to restore the region and sustain its future.
