Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations has demanded $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the clean-up of the Niger Delta and compensation for lost livelihoods before resuming crude oil production in Ogoniland.
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu is currently in a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key leaders from Ogoniland, representing four Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
The delegation, led by Fubara, arrived at the Council Chamber of the State House earlier today. Around 2:45 pm, the official vehicle of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was also seen arriving at the Villa, adding to the high-profile nature of the meeting.
The Rivers delegation includes prominent figures such as Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, and Victor Giadom, alongside Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, and Prof. B. Fakae. Key federal officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several ministers, including Idris Mohammed (Information), Abubakar Momoh (Regional Development), and Balarabe Abbas (Environment), are also in attendance. Additionally, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, is present.
While the agenda of the meeting has not been officially disclosed, it is widely believed to focus on the Ogoni clean-up project and the potential resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland. The Federal Government has previously expressed concern over the prolonged suspension of oil activities in the area, citing its negative impact on the nation’s economy.
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, recently voiced similar concerns, lamenting the conflicts that halted oil operations by international oil companies in Ogoniland. He highlighted that the standoff, coupled with the removal of oil subsidies, has significantly reduced contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations has demanded $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the clean-up of the Niger Delta and compensation for lost livelihoods before resuming crude oil production in Ogoniland. In a statement, groups such as Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation criticised the government’s reported plans to restart oil production without addressing environmental concerns.
The coalition referred to the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, which detailed severe environmental degradation in Ogoniland caused by oil activities, including extensive land, water, and air pollution. They described the government’s actions as a disregard for environmental justice.
More details to follow as the story develops.
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