Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has stated that resuming oil exploration in Ogoni land, Rivers State, would be premature until certain contentious issues are addressed. This comes as the Federal Government appears to consider the possibility of resuming oil exploration after many years of suspension due to environmental concerns and other issues.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Peterside emphasized that oil exploration in Ogoni land should not resume without further consultations, building trust, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to real environmental governance. He pointed out that the opaque nature of oil exploration in the Niger Delta, alongside the lack of transparency in how benefits from oil exploration are distributed, remains a significant challenge.
“The challenge all along has been the opaque nature of oil exploration not just in Ogoni land but in the entire Niger Delta,” Peterside said, stressing that the exclusion of Niger Delta communities from the benefits of oil exploration is a major concern that must be addressed transparently.
Government Engagement with Ogoni Leaders
On January 21, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, along with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, met with Ogoni leaders, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to discuss the resumption of oil production. This came after a coalition of civil society organizations demanded $1 trillion for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for lost livelihoods before oil production resumes in Ogoniland.
Following the meeting, President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to lead negotiations with stakeholders to explore the potential resumption of oil production in Ogoni land.
The Need for a Comprehensive Solution
Peterside, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, cautioned that establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni, signed into law by President Tinubu, would not suffice in addressing the historical environmental injustices suffered by the people. He insisted that the Ogoni Bill of Rights must be revisited to tackle the root causes of the grievances.
“To address the injustice the Ogonis have suffered, the Ogoni Bill of Rights must be revisited,” Peterside said. He argued that by addressing the Ogoni Bill of Rights, the long-standing environmental and social injustices faced by the Ogoni people could be resolved.
In summary, Peterside’s stance is that until transparency, proper environmental governance, and fair distribution of benefits are ensured, any move to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land would be premature and potentially counterproductive.
