Civil society organizations and rights activists have urged that Ogoniland can not have a sustainable future if oil production resumes after decades of neglect
Speaking at the 2nd Regional Civil Society Dialogue on HYPREP and Ogoni organized by Peoples Advancement Center(PAC) in conjunction with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), at Visa Karena Hotel, Port Harcourt on Thursday, rights activist, Comrade Celestine Akpobari questioned the logic of resuming oil extraction while cleaning up the environment.
Akpobari, who is the Team Lead of PAC, proposed exploring alternatives to oil dependency, emphasizing the need for the Ogoni people to rethink their relationship with land and resources for ecological sustainability and social equity
He stressed that true progress requires moving beyond oil exploitation and addressing deeper societal issues.
In his remarks, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibari Zabbey highlighted the organization’s mission to implement recommendations from the 2011 environmental assessment report on Ogoni land
Represented at the event by Kpobari Nafo, the PC disclosed that HYPREP has made significant progress in soil remediation, initiated water projects, and trained 5,000 local youths and women in various skills.
In his keynote lecture at the event, renowned environmentalist and rights crusader, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey emphasized the urgent need for environmental restoration and justice in the Niger Delta region
Bassey stressed that the $1 billion allocated for cleanup of Ogoni land is insufficient and that polluters must contribute more. He called for collective action to hold polluters accountable and prioritize environmental justice. Dr. Bassey demanded transparency, accountability, and community involvement in the cleanup efforts while urging the government and international cooperation to address the scale of pollution and ensure a better future for Niger Delta communities.
