Resumption Of Oil Exploration Takes Another Hit In Ogoni Land – Peterside Speaks Out 

Resumption Of Oil Exploration Takes Another Hit In Ogoni Land – Peterside Speaks Out 

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has voiced concerns over the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni Land, Rivers State.……READ MORE 

According to Ireporteronline reports oil activities in Ogoni have been on hold for years due to controversies surrounding environmental degradation and other socio-political issues.However, the Federal Government is now considering restarting oil operations in the region.

On January 21, 2024, President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, held a closed-door meeting with Ogoni leaders, led by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Following the meeting, Tinubu tasked the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, with coordinating negotiations with various Ogoni stakeholders to pave the way for resuming oil production in the Niger Delta.

In an interview on Channels Television, Peterside argued that restarting oil exploration in Ogoni would be premature without addressing key issues.

“To be honest, resuming oil exploration in Ogoni land at this point is premature. The government needs to conduct further consultations, build trust, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to environmental governance,” Peterside stated.

He emphasized that the opaque nature of oil activities in the Niger Delta has been a persistent challenge.

“The distribution of benefits from oil exploration often excludes the people of the Niger Delta. Until this is addressed transparently, meaningful progress will remain elusive,” he added.