A coalition of civil society organisations is calling for the allocation of $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for livelihoods lost due to environmental degradation. The demand was made ahead of any plans to resume crude oil production in Ogoniland.
The coalition, which includes Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, CAPPA, and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), expressed concerns over the Nigerian government’s reported intention to restart oil production in the community. They labelled this move a disregard for environmental justice and the rights of the Ogoni people.
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The groups also criticised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for inviting selected Ogoni stakeholders to a closed-door meeting in Abuja, scheduled for January 21st, 2025. They expressed disappointment that the Nigerian government has yet to fully implement the 2011 UNEP report’s recommendations, which documented extensive pollution in Ogoniland.
The coalition has called for an immediate halt to any resumption of oil activities in the region until the Ogoni people are meaningfully consulted, and their environment is fully cleaned up as per UNEP’s findings.
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