‘Nine years after UNEP report, there’s still no clean-up of Ogoniland’

An international coalition of civil society organisations (CSO) says efforts by the federal government and oil companies to clean-up Ogoniland in the Niger Delta region are “too weak”.

The coalition is made up of Amnesty International, Environmental Rights Action, Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Friends of the Earth Europe and Milieudefensie.

In 2011, a report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on oil pollution in Ogoniland acknowledged the devastating impact of oil exploration activities and made recommendations for a clean-up and support for the affected communities.

Subsequently, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) was launched by the Jonathan administration to address these challenges but no measures were taken.

Upon assuming office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari launched another HYPREP.

But in a report – ‘No Clean Up, No Justice’ – published on Thursday, the coalition said there is no transparency and accountability in the failed efforts of the government and oil companies to clean-up Ogoniland.

“Almost nine years after the publication of the UNEP report this research reveals that there is still no clean-up, no fulfilment of ‘emergency’ measures, no transparency and no accountability for the failed efforts, neither by the oil companies nor by the Nigerian government,” the report read.

“The efforts that have been made have been too little, too weak and have not resulted in effective clean up. The government of Nigeria must now drastically step up its ambition to implement in full the recommendations of the 2011 UNEP environmental assessment report for Ogoniland.

“This starts by prioritising the interests of the communities of the Niger Delta over those of the oil companies and the continuation of oil production. In cases of past, present, and future environmental damage, pollution and human rights violations, those responsible should be held accountable and liable. Prosecution of offenders is crucial.

“Wherever they are an obstacle to the protection of the local population and the environment, extraction, processing and transport operations should be ended. In order to deliver a successful clean up the Nigerian government must ensure that effective, transparent and accountable structures are in place, using the best independent external expertise.”

The coalition said HYPREP should be overhauled.

“The reasons for the ongoing failure to implement the clean-up need to be made public and the necessary corrective measures have to be carried out without delay,” it said.

“While oil companies, including Shell, must commit to funding the full clean-up of Ogoniland as they are responsible for the ongoing pollution, but they should no longer be involved in the management and oversight structures, such as the Governing and Management boards.”

The group asked the federal and Rivers state governments to provide the “emergency measures” as recommended by the UNEP report.

“As a matter of urgency, provide the ‘emergency measures’ UNEP recommended in 2011, including ensure safe drinking water for all people,” the report read.

TheCable had reported how oil spills are killing people in Ogoniland.