The former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (DG-NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has frowned upon the idea of resuming oil exploration in Ogoni, Rivers State.
This assertion follows a closed-door meeting held two weeks ago between President Bola Tinubu, Minister Wike, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Ogoni leaders regarding the resumption of oil exploration.
Recall that oil exploration was put on hold in the early 1990s due to several controversies and environmental degradation caused by oil spillage.
While speaking with Channels TV on February 5, he described the agenda as premature, noting that significant issues need to be addressed.
Peterside stated, “What I think, and I believe the government has also chosen this path, is to conduct further consultations, build trust, and show genuine commitment to real environmental governance.
“The challenge all along has been the opaque nature of oil exploration, not just in Ogoni land but in the entire Niger Delta.
Additionally in addressing the situation, he added, “the way the benefits of oil exploration are distributed—often to the exclusion of the people of the Niger Delta—is a major concern. Until we address this issue in a transparent manner, we will not make much progress.”
