Get Guardian on GoogleAbout 20 civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have demanded an immediate suspension of plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland, insisting that environmental remediation must be completed and affected communities must give their consent before any oil activity resumes.
The groups also called for a halt to oil and gas operations across the Niger Delta until polluted communities are cleaned up and victims of environmental degradation receive justice.
The demands were contained in a communique read by the Team Lead of Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Celestine AkpoBari, during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
The coalition insisted that the Federal Government must not use military force, intimidation or other coercive measures to impose oil production on Ogoni communities.
It also demanded that international oil companies that have divested their assets in the Niger Delta should remain accountable for cleaning up pollution resulting from their operations.
Beyond the oil resumption controversy, the organisations called for the creation of an independent Bori State and urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged disappearance of $300 million reportedly earmarked for Ogoni development.
They further demanded that the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Sahara Energy account for all funds released for the Ogoni dialogue process.
On development, the coalition called for the completion of promised road projects, industrial parks, school renovations and functional healthcare centres in Ogoniland.
The groups also demanded that independent observers be allowed to monitor the Ogoni dialogue process to ensure transparency, credibility and accountability.
Some Niger Delta civil society leaders who spoke at the briefing reinforced the call for environmental justice and community participation in decisions concerning oil exploration in the region.
Among the organisations behind the demands are We The People, Social Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, HEDA Resource Centre, South South Youths Initiative, Environmental Rights Action, Policy Alert and Ogoni Youths Development Initiative.
The coalition maintained that resuming oil production without addressing the environmental, developmental and justice concerns of the people would further undermine confidence in the process.
