CSOs demand $1trn for Ogoniland clean-up, compensation for loss of livelihoods

… reject planned resumption of oil extraction

Concerned Civil Society Organisations in the Niger Delta have demanded that $1 trillion should be earmarked for immediate cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for loss of livelihoods.

In a statement signed by over 20 Organisations including the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa-CAPPA, Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria and South-South Youths Initiative, the bodies also condemned the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland.

The organisations in their demands, asked the Federal Government to “halt all plans for resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland until there is meaningful consultation with the Ogoni people and full remediation of the damaged environment.

The statement noted that the Civil Society groups met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to deliberate on the recent invitation by the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, to some Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to a private meeting in Abuja to discuss the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

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The groups in their demands further said “That not one more oil well should be drilled in the Niger Delta and the Government, and the oil companies should commence immediate and total clean-up of the region.

Other demands by the group included the earmarking of One trillion United States Dollars for immediate clean-up of the Niger Delta and compensation for loss of livelihoods, immediate review of the Military trial and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa with other martyrs and their exoneration as well as the immediate and unconditional release of the confiscated Ken Saro-Memorial Bus sculpture held by Nigeria Customs since 2015 as well as full Implementation of the UNEP Report, among others.

The organisations noted that the contemplated resumption of oil operations in Ogoniland posed a significant threat to the fundamental human rights of the Ogoni people and negated Nigeria’s effort at tackling climate change.

“These include the right to a clean and healthy environment, the right to health, and the right to life. Any attempt to impose extractive activities without addressing these historical injustices will only deepen the mistrust between the government, oil companies, and local communities”.